Tuesday in Waitomo

Black Water Rafting/Glow Worms

    Now way way back clear at the first of the semester we had a brilliant idea that we wanted to go black water rafting! We were debating if we wanted to do it from the South Island or the North Island but we were told that we could to it better in the North Island, so we have been planning on this for ages! Now the second part of this story is, usually  all the groups take a boat tour through the caves to see the glow worms. Janet decided she thought it would be extremely fun to go rafting through to see the glow worms. She proposed this to Jim, and he put it up to a vote. We could pick the "Adventure route, or the sissy boat tour." Of course we all picked the adventure tour! Especially when Jim phrased it like that. So needless to say, this was such an anticipated adventure!

      We got to where the adventure began, and we waited for a little bit. None of us really knew what to expect, but it were really excited! They then called our group out, and we went in. We first had to sign our life away. I don't know what it is about everything I am doing over here, but I seem to sign my life away and have to fill out a medical chart more than I ever have in my entire life! So we fill the papers out, and then we are on our way.

 

   Once we signed our life away, it was time for us to go get ready! The first thing we had to do was go put on our wet suits! This was such an adventure! We first had to mix and match to try and find some socks that could fit on. Then we had to walk over introduce ourselves and get fitted for a wet suit and jacket! Following this, we had to go put it on and then put our helmets and boots on! We looked really silly! We all felt huge, and like we should be taking muscle pictures! I'm not really sure why, but that's what it felt like!

After we had taken a few pictures, it was then time to get started on our journey! We took one last picture (just in case we didn't make it back) and then set off on our journey!

      We got down to the place where we had to pick our tubes and started picking. Now we were instructed to go and stick our bottoms all the way through the tube. If we couldn't fit our bottoms all the way through the tube we were in trouble! He then said  if you are questioning anything at all, go bigger! Better safe then sorry! Then he said, okay it's time to have a check. Turn around and let me see. Little did I know, he was taking a picture of us all! Oops! Yeah we look a little bit dorky! But it was so much fun!

   After we have captured the picture and picked our tubes, it was time to give a few quick instructions! They taught us the eel. This is how we would be going down through the caves! We were to sit back lift our arms up tuck the person's feet behind us under are arm pits and hang on tight! Every once in a while we were suppose to check to make sure the feet were still in the boots just in case they slipped under the water or something.

     The next set of instructions we were given is how to jump off the cliffs/waterfalls we would be jumping off of in the cave. We were to put our hills on the edge of the rock, hold on to the tube close our eyes and jump back far. If we jumped straight up, we would hit the top of the cave. If we didn't jump far enough, we would land on a pile of rocks in the bottom of the cave. For this reason they took us up on a bridge and made us practice. This is the picture they took of me practicing. I was really nervous to jump off of the waterfall backwards! I was scared! No worries though, I made it! (That's me splashing in the water.)

   After we had all successfully mastered the jumping off the waterfall technique, it was time for us to head off and go caving! We had no idea what we were getting ourselves, but we were really excited!

    We got to the cave, and we turned around and waved goodbye! we were now going to enter the cave! The cave was found by the Maori people when they were hunting dogs. They followed the dogs into the cave, and then when the dogs drowned, they brought them back up for food. We were now going down into the cave.

    Now the tour was so much fun! We climbed down into the cave and then the adventure began! First there were HUGE bugs! They were like daddy long legs on steroids! I have never seen a bug this big in my life! It was super creepy! Then we climbed all around the cave holding the tubes! Then we got to jump off our first waterfall! It was a little bit scary, but I'd like you to know I successfully passed and made it! From there we went down into the cave even farther. We got to a point and they had us sit down on the edge of the cave. The we all turned off our head lights, and looked up and there were the glow worms! It was incredible! It looked like you were looking up into the night sky, and you were out looking at stars! It was incredible! Then when you would shine a light up on them, you could see the little silky strings where they catch their food! It was incredible! I don't know why, but the glow worms fascinate me. I think they are one of the most magnificent creatures I have ever seen! The rest of the cave we got to go through the river looking at and admiring the glow worms!

       Then at the end of the game, they started playing a game, it was called find your own way out of the cave! Guess what! I was the winner! The rules were you had to keep your light off, and then you were on your way to find your way out! I am going to be really honest here, and say I was terrified! At one point, Neeley and I tried to go through a little small spot together and guess what...we didn't fit! We both just bounced back out and neither of us could get through! It was hilarious! No worries we made it out safely though, and I was the first one out! Yeah!

 We then took our survival pictures! It was so much fun! This has got to be one of my favorite things we have done over here! I am truly fascinated by the glow worms! They amaze me! I am so glad we were able to do this! Once again it was, another successful holiday from holiday!