Blogs from Waitomo, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 7

I got up far too early this morning and went for a walk where you could go through a few little natural caves, next to a gushing river. Just gorgeous and green and the grey around me slowly lifted to a more daylight overcast grey! I came back for some breakfast, then off to Waitomo Cave Horse Treks which is right up in the hills about 10-15 minutes up winding roads in beautiful countryside. I'd spoken to Rob, the owner, the night before. He's asked if I'd ridden before and I explained that I loved my one hour in Taupo, but wanted a bit more freedom. He said there were no treks booked tomorrow, but that I could go out with Kirstin anyway. So, 9.30am, there I was, with a lovely Canadian girl, being introduced to ... read more

25/11/06 After we had something to eat we went to a farm show called Billy Blacks. It started off with us learning something about how farmers had to clear the land in the old days without ladders for chopping trees down and how they moved them with just metal lifting boards and horses and carts. Uncle Andy was asked to go up on stage with another bloke and they had this big saw and had to try and slice a piece off. They both had to put stupid straw hats on and yes they did look stupid. They managed to saw through it a bit but it looked like hard work. He didn't have a computer to download stuff but had string on the wall and when he pulled them a different animal came out of ... read more

we left akaroa in the early am, after hanging out with a couple of staffers the night before. i was hoping to trade in my book in the hostel library, but someone had already taken the one i was eyeing. we had quite of bit of time to make our flight, so deja spotted a little gallery on the highway on the way up. it's called the lavendale gallery, and is run by the seo family. it's a beautiful property will lots of antiques and fine art -- some of which you can purchase. there's also a field of lavender on the grounds, but it's only just beginning to bloom. they were so friendly there, and even offered a complimentary slice of banana almond cake. if you ever make it down there, i highly recommend stopping ... read more

Waitomo glow worm cave Here, let me make it very clear that I am NOT much interested in the creepy crawlies, and fervently wish sometimes that a few species of insects would become extinct. Just imagine a roach-free world. Would’nt it be lovely? Anyway, let me be fair, and give the little devils their due. An adult roach in the prime of his life WOULD look handsome if it remained stationary and upright. Only when it is on it’s back waving its legs in the air that it looks ugly. That reminds me. My dad was a motorcycle enthusiast and regarded scooter as a new-fangled feminine contraption. I personally preferred scooter and was happy when my husband bought one, because, as I told him “the scooter looks like a normal roach, but the motorcycle looks like ... read more

After our extended stay in Raglan we set off for Rotorua via Waitomo Caves.... ...now here's the thing... I decided it was time to face my fear and head deep under ground! Kitted out in our rather attractive wetsuits and white gum boots (wellies to you and me) we treked across the fields a bit like the Thunderbirds towards the caves. All was going well...wading and crawling through water, a wee tea break to warm up and look at the glow worms, fondly known as "cannabilistic maggots with shiny shit" and then floating along on rubber rings enjoying a rendition of "Yellow Submarine", a wee bit of Opera and by far the best an in tune version of "Stand By Me" (beautifully sang Boys!). Lying back we were looking up at the glowing ceiling ...and that's ... read more