New Zealand Day 7

I didn't get much sleep that night. Two hours if I was lucky. I had a full day ahead and it started at Waitomo Caves for some Black Water Rafting at 10:30. I needed to get breakfast, pack up, load the car and get there 15 minutes early.

There were 12 people in my group with two guides, Aaron and Alan. Everyone was a blast to be with. Here's a few photos of getting ready before our adventure.

The water was really cold so before we even got into the caves they had us jump in with our tubes backwards (that's how we'd go over the waterfalls later in the caves) to get used to the temp and to get a practice run before we went down to the caves. There's a photo of an example and then me in my blue helmet.

I can't explain how incredible it was in there. I'm a bit claustrophobic and only twice during the time down there did I think of how a simple an earth quake could happen and we'd be done for. (NZ has a fault line that pretty much runs straight through it) There actually were a few tight spots. If you were tall or big they'd have you go a different way. This picture is me coming from that spot. You could scrape your nose if you didn't lean back far enough, that's no lie!

They explained to us that they actually weren't "glow worms" but maggots whose feces puts off a glow once mixed with oxygen to attract their prey. Then they catch them with their strings. There were a few times everyone would have their helmet lights off so we could see how bright they were. It honestly was like being in a planetarium. They looked like stars in the sky.

As you see our fearless leader took a camera along the way to put all the photos on a CD. A group from the bus that I met at the hostile had done this and they said to get together with the people in your group and everyone pitches in to buy one CD and then have one person be in charge of emailing everyone the photos.

After we were done they have a place for us to shower and get dressed. Then inside we had bagels and hot soup waiting for us. Ahhh that hit the spot. I brought up the CD idea and everyone was on board but two people had already left and it was actually perfect. The CD was $20, everyone just put in $2 even. Worked out perfectly. Since I was heading home the next day I offered to send all the photos out.

My destination was Hamilton but on the way I had to visit a place in Matamata. I can't name the location because I signed a contract that I wouldn't but by the pictures I think you'll be able to guess. At first they had a sheep shearing demo and well I had to...just look at those arms and please, like he doesn't know it!

Afterwards he brought out two baby lambs for us to feed. This might have been the highlight of my trip. I fell in love with that little guy!! Then we met up with our tour guide took a bit of a tour around the grounds for the next 60 min.

Once in Hamilton I went to the New Zealand Temple grounds which by the why is HUGE. I booked a room there for the night, $15. Score!! After a very eventful day I went to Pizza Hut for a personal pizza and only paid $4 while days ago when I went to McDonald's for a Happy Meal it was $7. The mystery of international fast food prices...I'll never know.

I was already bummed out that I was leaving the next day but it didn't keep me up. From having a long eventful day, with little rest, I ate my dinner and asleep by 9pm.