apricot says: Surprise at Clandon Park

22 June 2009

Surprise at Clandon Park

As it was Fathers Day, and the weather was nice, we went to Clandon Park to spend tranquil Sunday afternoon, and have a cup of tea. But what we found was this.

Hangi at Clandon Park
Originally uploaded by apricot_says

The estate of Clandon Park was built by 2nd Lord Onslow and 4th Earl of Onslow was the Governor of New Zealand. He brought back the meeting house of Maori and rebuilt it on his garden. Yesterday, singers and dancers of Te Kohanga Reo O Ranana, who teaches their traditional songs, dance and tradition at London came to the Park and were having Hangi (Earth Oven) gathering. Hangi is;

an ancient New Zealand Māori method of cooking food using super heated rocks buried in the ground in a pit oven

Unfortunately, "Hangi" part of even needs a ticket so that I couldn't see those food, but we enjoyed their songs and dance. It was really nice to listen to their lively songs under the summery sky.

Haka
Originally uploaded by apricot_says

And also we could watch that famous Haka. Little Miss Chatty enjoyed happy sound of songs sung mostly by female singers, but it seemed that those fierce Maori warriors' performance was a bit too scary to her ;).