waitomo

lyds and i left rotorua the next day to visit waitomo, located in kings country. an old maori stronghold from the new zealand wars, it has since been known to tourists for its honeycomb of limestone caves. along the way we passed by the area that was re-created to be hobbitton. 10km south of ortorohangs, and about 2 hours sw of rotorua, we made the town.

the name waitomo means "water entering shaft." we followed the water in wetsuits, boots, helmets with flashlights and inner tubes to raft the black water. the enterance to the cave came out of nowhere - just a slash in the ground that we slid down. once at the bottom, we hiked a little hunched over following the water and trying to avoid the stalactites. when we met the underground river we all climbed into our tubes and floated in its current through the cave system. picture the seven dwarfs crossed with indiana jones. at times you would have to climb out of your tube and progress on foot, or jump backwards over a little waterfall. the water was shockingly cold - so cold in fact that i think lyds and i are spent for new zealand's water activities. when told we would all switch off our headlamps and stare out at the millions of glow-worms on the ceiling. during these times it was like being outside at night. the walls gave off the appearance that you were inside a great canyon. the glow-worms as stars.