Black water rafting

Trip Start Apr 08, 2005
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Trip End Apr 09, 2006


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Monday, September 12, 2005

We drive to the Waitomo caves today for some black water rafting. First stop is the museum where we learn some very interesting geological and historical facts about the caves and the region. The Waiomo caves are famous for their glow-worms, scientifically known as Arachnacampa Luminosa! These insects produce a light (bioluminosa), in their larva stage that they use to attract insects lost in the dark (insects which enter the cave with the waters). When these insects emerge within the cave they see tiny sparklying lights on the cave's ceilings and expect it is the sky, but in fact, these are the glow-worms! The glow-worms create a sticky drop, which oozes down from the celing, much like the spinning of a web by a spider - and for the same reasons. The insects fly towards what they think is the open sky and get tangled in the sticky drops. They are then caught and eaten by the glow worms.

Our black water rafting experinece began with the humiliating dress-code (wet suits, wet jackets, socks, ankle wellies and helmet) 01 NZ Landscape
01 NZ Landscape
 . Then we did some jump training in the local river, where Ad over jumps her tube and Fergus almost floats away. Oh the great Irish swimmers :)

Our journey underground, each within their own tube, is through limestone chambers and passages and is an awesome trip. We are surrounded by cave decorations, and above our heads, tiny living glow-worm lights. Part of our journey includes jumping off waterfalls and clambering across rocks. Once within the glow-worm grotto we are instructed to turn off our helmet lights, we are travelling in silence and in total darkness... the only sounds are drips of water and sights are milions of glow-worms across the cave ceiling. Its like looking up to the sky on a starry night......incredible.

Once back at the visitors centre we have warm showers and are offered tomato soup and a bagel. While the caves were excellent, it would have been preferable for the experience to be dry! The tour was a bit overpriced, we think.

Afterwards we drive to National Park - destination is Pipers Lodge. On route, we are quiet surprised by there not being a snowey mountain in sight. However, as we reach the little village, Mt Ruaphue appears - top half clad in snow. National Park is amid 3 volcanoes (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro). At Pipers we receive a good 3 course meal, followed by a few "friendly" games of table tennis and pool. The staff of the lodge are extremely helpful, above and beyond the call of duty. For the first time ever, we are offered a room upgrade, without asking and at no additional cost. We are advised to ski tomorrow at Whakapaka on Mt Ruapehu.
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