Today we had a really hectic day, packed with activities! We left Raglan at 8am, headed for the rural settlement of Waitomo. Here are some huge underground networks - limestone caves have been carved out by the water underneath the ground. The best way to see these caves is to go caving, so we signed up for some black water rafting! We were given wetsuits and helmets with lights and taken deep underground for 4 hours. We travelled through tight gaps in the rocks, underwater for some sections (in eel infested water!) and we saw some interesting glow worms on the cave ceiling and some wonderful stalagtite and stalagmite formations. Half way round the network, we got to some deep under water lakes where we were given a huge black rubber inner tube to float down the river on! Although a bit dark and wet, this was an amazing activity which we both thoroughly enjoyed!
Next we carried on our journey back inland towards a Maori cultural experience stopover at Makhetu. We stayed at a puropose built Maori Marae (communal hut) which hold great significance for the Maori people. Our host was an interesting chap called 'Uncle Boy', who told us the history of the place and gave us a taste of Maori traditions and culture. We had a traditional Maori meal of mutton, potatoes, veg, chicken and fish and then were trreated to a show by Uncle Boy's family. They demonstrated dances, songs and the Haka - which we were then taught and performed to the group! I can now do a perfect Haka and Kate is not bad with the Puy! Around 20 of us spent the night in the main hall of the Marae - which was an expeience in itself!
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