Stick your tongue out. Way out.  Go ahead.  Now bulge your eyes. Move around a bit. You have just performed a typical move of the Haka, an ancient Maori ceremonial dance. The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand with a unique culture preserved for many centuries. They arrived from Polynesia and settled in the country in the mid-1300s creating a treasured part of New Zealand’s identity. Often referred to as the original New Zealanders, the Maori culture is worth exploring for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of cultural legacies.

The best way to learn about a culture is to be part of their daily activities. In Maori culture, some activities are open to everyone while others require an invitation. Luckily, there are several ways to immerse yourself into the culture of the Maori and understand its ins and outs.

You can be part of the Maori culture when in New Zealand by stepping into their shoes and becoming one of them even for a day.

Say hello using the hongi. This style of salutation is an up close and warm but may feel out of the norm for visitors used to the regular handshake. It involves the two people greeting each other pressing up against each other with their foreheads and noses touching. The Maori believe that the greeting unifies two souls as they share the breath of life. Try it out when meeting locals to see their reaction.

Ever thought of getting a tattoo?  How about an authentic Maori tattoo? The drawings on the face of a Maori have a deep meaning and not just a simple tattoo. It comprises spiral patterns and curved shapes drawn on the entire face to symbolize power, prestige, rank, or social status with their location conveying specific information.  Backs, chests, arms, shoulders, and legs can be tattooed as well.  Maori-inspired designs are available to those not affiliated with the people, but make sure to have a full understanding of the design and seek the services of those knowledgeable in this style so your tatoo is culturally sensitive.

Maori culture is still alive in New Zealand with many of its tribesmen practicing its cultural beliefs. One of the best ways to experience life like a Maori is to visit the Tamaki Maori Village. The village is a recreation of a traditional homestead in the Tawa forest, which is 200 years old. At Tamaki, you will be ushered into the daily

routine of a Maori community before they came into contact with the outside world. Indulge in their food, songs and stories as you tour every corner of the intriguing homestead.

Celebrations are an integral part of Maori life as you will see at the village. Take part in a welcome ceremony known as the pōwhiri, which is one of the

most famous cultural attractions in the country. The dance is open to visitors who would like to join the locals as they guide them into the village.  If you are up to it, watch the cultural performers reenact the use of taiaha, an ancient method of killing their cultural enemies. Maori warriors used to strike and twist the head of opponents to expose the brain, which was a delicacy.

Sharing a meal with someone of a different culture is one of the best ways to experience their way of life. For the Maori, being a part of the hangi meal is a great way to celebrate your time with them.

Prepared and cooked in a hole underground, the delicious food has lots of variety. The culinary technique involves the use of a hole lined with aluminium foil, hot rocks and sometimes wire baskets.  Some of the foods cooked hangi style include potatoes, vegetables, chicken and fish.

Besides enjoying the delicious food, you can also take part in the cooking. Although hangi method sounds easy, it’s quite strenuous but the community aspect of it, makes it worth it. Participating in hangi has a two-in-one benefit of learning a new cooking method while interacting with locals as you cook together because the food preparation takes time.

If you are a rugby fan, you have probably seen the New Zealand All Blacks team perform their famous Haka dance. The dance, whose famous composition Ka Mate was written by an ancient Maori chief, celebrates life triumphing over death.

Being part of dances like the Haka, is a great way of indulging in the Maori culture. You don’t have to get the steps right the first time, but your willingness to try will be a step in the right direction. The Maori culture is filled with actions such as rhythmic movements, gestures, poetry and a combination of dances. It may be hard to believe but most dances

are hinged on verbal expressions with little or no singing. Although most dances, were performed to scare off opponents, they are now more symbolic than threatening. The focus is on demonstrating the warrior spirit of the Maori people. It is believed that this spirit is the reason for the preservation of their robust culture to this day.

Are you interested in travelling to New Zealand for your own Maori experience? Are you wondering where to begin planning your trip? I am an expert in curating personalized trips to New Zealand to see and interact with the Maori. Call me today and let’s begin to plan your trip for a cultural experience of a lifetime.

Sex, death, poop and more not-for-the-dinner-table subjects are the inspiration for art at one of Australia’s most controversial museums.  To truly understand what MONA is all about, you might have to drop by. The museum in Hobart, Tasmania, is not your average history or art stop. Constantly evolving, you never know what you might find, as museum curators freely admit. Instead, they give a long list of quirky clues that ends with the story of the peacock who was banished from the museum for attacking blue cars.

So what is the Museum of Old and New Art, MONA, all about?

Founder David Walsh says he was inspired to build the tourist attraction so he could “bang above his weight.” A comment that leads back to MONA’s sex and death theme that states people are primarily motivated by the drive to have sex and dodge death.

The intense, asthmatic art lover and professional gambler is known for being provocative, controversial, and argumentative. If you are lucky enough to meet this outspoken atheist, your conversation is sure to be fascinatingly colorful. The museum is recognized by many as an extension of his loud and bold personality.

You can expect to feel strong emotions that might include amusement, admiration, disgust, joy or confusion. Evoking extreme and deep reactions seems to be at the heart

of the museum’s existence. Most people come through the doors expecting some shock value while the odd traveler stumbles across the museum and leaves with more than they bargained for. Indeed the best vacations gift you with this kind of memorable experience that might be way out of your comfort zone or totally unexpected.

Here’s a little taste of past exhibitions. We couldn’t want to give you any hint of future ones, as it’s anybody’s wildest guess.

• Cloaca by Belgium artist Wim Delvoye was a smelly machine that needed to be feed daily and emitted poop
• A wall of carefully sculptured vaginas by artist Greg Taylor
• A dizzying yellow room full of black dots by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama

Critics are vocal about the museum, its art (including some of Walsh’s personal collection) and all that it represents. Similar to blue cheese or kimchi, visitors either love it or hate it. Do you dare to find out what side you are on? While you might think you are open-minded and capable of appreciating art that is contemporary and thought-provoking, you might find yourself fleeing for the nearest exit. Or you might be inspired and impressed. For sure, your emotions will be triggered and conversations will flow for some time after a trip to MONA.

Regardless of how much outrage it might garner, MONA is considered a cultural asset to Australia, appearing on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Walsh is famous in art circles and beyond locally and internationally and has boosted the tourism industry to impressive heights. Annual festivals at MONA, including Dark Mofo that includes a winter nude swim, send tourism numbers through the roof.

The building itself, nestled into a rock, is another talking point and part of the memorable MONA experience. Getting inside involves quite the walk with thoughtful use of space and minimalism to clear the mind before you enter the contemporary-looking museum. Notable features of the architecture are a mirror wall at the entrance and several buildings that are joined by an underground tunnel. The work that went into the design and construction of the museum is massive and Walsh worked closely with

renowned architects to achieve his ever-changing vision. It is a vision that is endless and expected to continue growing in all directions. Once inside, staff hand visitors an iPad entitled “art wank” containing info about each expressive exhibition.

If you love MONA, you can stay the night in one of the luxury dens. We would personally fancy settling down in the Walter Den. Inspired by Walter Burley Griffin, who designed Australia’s capital of Canberra, the MONA website says the accommodation includes “TVs all over the place including the bathroom” and a personal security screen “to avoid visitors you don’t like.”

Contact us soon to arrange your vacation to Tasmania. There is a whole world of fantastic travel experiences waiting in the Australian state, including this not-to-be-missed museum that might make all other museums look dull after you recover from your MONA visit.