WOMAD

On 12th March, we set off for WOMAD which was being held in New Plymouth. We stopped half way in Wanganui. Our campsite here was the cheapest and one of the nicest. We had our own toilet and shower and there was a conference room which they let us use for the evening. It had a wide screen TV, glass topped table and a really comfy sofa. No one else was using it, so it was like our very own sitting room. We were asked if we were going to watch Coronation Street which is very big over here. We didn`t, but watched TV while we ate our evening meal, very decadent.

The next day, we got to the campsite at WOMAD. We camped in the family area and the facilities were great. I was expecting maybe some mobile chemical toilets, but there were flushing toilets and even SHOWERS! The showers had hot water all the time which you didn`t have to pay for and rarely had to queue for. They only had a curtain between you and the outside world which was OK depending on how much wind was about. I soon realised why the shower near the door was usually free.

We went to look at some bands on the Friday night, but Saturday and Sunday had the best weather. It was sunny and warm which was perfect for a festival. We saw some great acts, notably Ska Cubana (They are in one photo, and are from Cuba and UK, really good fun), Fat Freddy`s Drop(NZ), The Little Bushmen(NZ) and Rokio Traore (Mali).

We also watched a Maori Haka which was amazing. The video shows how scary these guys would have been to the first Europeans. We were scared!

I loved hearing the men and women singing too, their voices were really strong and their harmonies were spot on.

Em bought a scarf and had a temporary henna tattoo put on her hand. She got all `Hippied up`as our friend Zoe said.

A great time was had by all.