The adventure begins...we emailed them ahead of time about Blackwater Rafting in the Waitomo Caves, they checked out the website and said, "Oh, sure! Whatever you think!" Next thing they knew they were dressed like this, carrying an inner-tube through dark caves and jumping off of waterfalls (click on this link and watch the video -- we are totally extreme!!). Lyle and Donna were very good sports and pretended to really enjoy themselves and not be terrified for us! Lyle even laughed uproariously through many parts of the cave for full effect, sporting ear-to-ear grin the entire time. This is by far the coolest way to see the world-famous Waitomo Glow Worms. Of course, as everyone knows they're not really worms, they're larvae. But they do glow and were so cool to see. A sample of conversation from within the caves:Patrick: I just saw an eel!!
Molly: A what?
Patrick: An EEL!!
Molly: Better not tell me those things until AFTER we're through!
After our blackwater rafting experience, we had to leave the wetsuits and helmets behind (sad...they were sooo attractive!) and headed to Rotorua for our Christmas Eve dinner. What better Christmas Eve feast to have than a traditional Maori Hangi ? Lamb, chicken, potatoes and stuffing cooked in a pit? Yes, please! This was all part of a whole evening of fun, with a traditional powhiri (welcome ceremony), complete with singing and a poi dance.
You start the evening on a bush walk up to the Mitai village, where you stop at a river to see the village warriors looking VERY intimidating on their haka (canoe). You can see the website for the group that runs the shows here.
Just a shot of Patrick and Molly posing with a scary Maori statue posted in the bush (forest) to scare off any possible invaders. Who looks scarier?? :) After we filled our bellies we went over to Rainbow Springs and got to see Kiwis inside their enclosure at night. Kiwis are nocturnal, so it's hard to ever see them unless you're willing to go after dark!
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