Today was a day I have been looking forward to since this trip had began!
I love climbing and rappelling or abseiling as they call it down here. And caves have always fascinated me, but I’ve never done any actual caving even thought I’ve been in a cave before.
Today was our Waitomo Caves Adventure, rated one of the top things you should do when you are in New Zealand, and I definitely agree.
So in the caves we had the options of a few different adventures. Most of our group went onto either the TumuTumu ToObing adventure, which was a black-water rafting trip through the caves on tire tubes. Or the Haggas Honking Holes, which was an abseiling through waterfall action adventure! And that’s the one I went on .
This is what abseiling down a waterfall looks like.
Our Haggas Honking Holes Group <3
Let me tell you, this was incredible! It was several abseils, which for those whom don’t know, abseiling is going down a rock face via a rope holding you at the top.
The largest abseil we did was 20m, but the most intense one was down a waterfall with the water pouring down onto your head until you crashed down into this dark pool of water, crawled through a half submerged tunnel into a tiny water-slide like passage way down onto another waterfall and end finally dropping down a pitch black hole of water and crawling through a 10m tunnel with only a small gap above your head.
PRETTY FREAKING INTENSE!
Then just some more of that before we rock climb back up in gum boots.
After the caving adventure we drove to Maketu, where we stayed at Uncle Boy’s place and had a Maori cultural experience, complete with a hangi meal and a performance which we got to take part in.
Our group photo with the performers!
We learned two songs and us ladies learned how to use a Poi, which was basically a stuffed ball on a string that you swing. Where as the guys learned the Haka, which was a Maori war dance.
I was brave enough to volunteer myself as a leader along with my Holland friend Tammy, and therefore we got to wear these awesome costumes!
To finished off the evening we had the chance of watching this AMAZING sunset, simply one of the best I’ve ever seen.
wow. so freakin amazing that you are in nz and are doing all these amazing/fun things! def an experience of a lifetime. xoxo
Holland friend, german friend? lol you’re making the right friends =D
Anyway, great post :)
its nice to see you your having fun.
you could call it: Hey Nadine where are you?
btw. abseiling is awesome! I did that once in Belgium I really loved it, but I don’t think it was quite as awesome as what you did. :)
I just went through this page and your flickr page. I think I missed out on something. Are you video taping any of these things?
That sunset picture is really great. Play hard Nadine!
Holland friend.. or Dutch friend? :p
Sunset looks amazing!!
A spectacular adventure indeed! Thank you for keeping us up to date on your experiences. I hope these are times that you will treasure all your life. =)