Just had a few fantastic days over the festive season. 24/12/15

with Tina’s family staying with Chris and Mike in Auckland. Thank you to the both of you for your hospitality (if you were registered with trip advisor, I’d certainly rate you 10 out of 10 for accommodation, tour guides, food and area) ha ha. We had a brill time, thanks a million for driving us around and meeting your family and friends we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

Well today we set off southern bound for Waitomo. The drive took us again through some stunning country side, however Delores decided to take us on her own journey through different villages that weren’t on our map, or even her own planned route. She obviously wanted to update her data base for the next time we visit the area. Anyway once at Waitomo we went in search of the famous glow worm caves.
We eventually found where we should be and soon we were guided to a hut in the middle of a field where we were given very WET wetsuits to put on. Tina and me looked at each other and reminisced our last attempt putting wetsuits on. However this time there were separate male/female changing rooms, so Tina, with a terrified look on her face, slumped into the changing room, not looking too pleased. I came out and although I didn’t have the 007 look, (more like Mitchelin man), was rather pleased with myself. Moments later out popped Tina, I could tell her Tourette’s had been present as she had it on backwards and inside out! We soon got her sorted then off we were walking (actually tramping) through a farmers field in search of the cave entrance. Tina, what with her hot flushes, decked head to toe in a wetsuit, and completely soaking, found this part of the activity rather challenging. To say Tina was not enjoying this trip was an understatement. However once at the cave entrance, she soon forgot the 35’ temperature. Walking into the cave was great, out hosts instructed us which way to go and Tina found herself in front of the group leading us through the caves. The caves themselves were absolutely mesmerizing, millions upon millions of tiny blue dots above our heads, glistening and glowing in the dark, and as our eyes adjusted to the darkness millions upon millions more worms started to glow. It was at this point that we were informed the glowing part of the worm was it’s bottom, or rather what was coming out of its bottom! We were then asked to get “into” our rubber rings as the water raised above our waists. We all joined together one in front of the other, each person with the feet of whoever was behind them, tucked underneath the person in front armpits, great fun. Again looking upwards we found more and more blue glow worms reaching 300 meters above our heads at one point. The simplicity of the spectacle we were viewing compared to that of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel…..AMAZING. We then meandered through what was now a river until we came to a waterfall and as Tina was in front she became the first who had to fall backwards off the top of a 6 foot waterfall…….backwards on her rubber ring. This was awesome, falling in near darkness backwards into a pool of water, (which by now was getting very cold). We joined up again, In a train like fashion, and went further into the cave, which was getting smaller and narrower, until we came to a 7 mtr water slide. Fantastic does not describe what we had to do now. Arms crossed over our chests whilst holding our noses, and pushed at great force down the slide. Of which we could not see the bottom of it as it twisted to the left around a corner into sheer darkness. Tina at the front again could not be seen, but could be heard as she screamed her way down, followed by a huge splash at the bottom. We took our turns as we followed suit, until we were all down. We were then told to go ahead following the river until we came to a huge staircase, which was our exit out. What a blast this was, thoroughly enjoyed this and it will remain the best 2 hour activity that we have done so far. Anything else will have to blow our heads off in comparison.
Tomorrow we head to Wellington for our late ferry back to Nelson for New Years and oh yes how can I forget, our last rabies jabs.
So there ends our month in the north island, we have had the most amazing time on our experiences, conquered a few fears, catching up with friends and family. Being a bit biased as we live in the south island and see stunning scenery every day, we were blown away by the true beauty of the scenery in the north, every drive has been awesome and its never a chore to drive anywhere.