Matamata, November 22 & 23, 2025

November 22

Broadway Motel - another great accommodation

And we have our own little fenced yard

Today we left Hamilton and drove a short distance to Matamata, a town of just under 10,000 people. It took us less than an hour. We drove through flat, lush farmland. The area is known for horse breeding and horseracing and we passed many horses en route.

We arrived at Broadway Motel early, having come such a short distance. By a lucky happenstance, the town was having a Cultural Heritage Day right across the street. There was street food and a full day of performances by people who have made their homes in New Zealand from around the region.

The Tongans led the parade

    There were performances highlighting Japan, the Phillipines, Thailand, Argentina, Zimbabwe and the Tonga people.

   

Philippine Dancers

 When we were eating there, we sat with a mother and son who had driven about an hour to be there for the son, age 13, to perform songs in Tagalog (Philippines.)  Rodeson Ferrer had performed in Los Angeles in a world singing contest and was a medalist when he was only 11, representing New Zealand where he has lived since he was one.

Rodeson Ferrer, age 13

      We heard him sing 4 songs and were amazed by his talent and composure. By the time he performed, there were not many people to hear him, but those who were there, were appreciative.

      During the Filipino cooking demonstration, Mark joined right in and helped to pass around the food! Of course he did!

      Afterwards we walked along Broadway, the main street, and found a Woolworth's where we got food to make a dinner in our lovely suite at the motel. We only paid $123 (US) per night. We have a kitchenette, a living room, bedroom and private fenced yard. We also have access to a communal pool. We are consistently impressed by the accommodations in New Zealand. Even modest places provide a fridge, always supplied with milk for tea. This one is definitely not modest.

    We got news that Otis arrived in Concord for Thanksgiving.

November 23, 2025

Opal Hot Springs

  Today was a quiet day. We had breakfast and lunch in our little apartment. After breakfast we went to Opal Hot Springs at a little motel outside of town. It was very low-key and not fancy. For about $12 (US) we got entry to two mineral pools where we basked for a bit and then sat in lounge chairs and read.