waitomo

from rotarua we headed to waitomo. waitomo literally means water (wai)shaft (tomo). it is filled with underwater caves as well as glow worms.

we stayed in a place called Woodlyn Park. Hmmmm how does one describe the setting and vibe there? eccentrically clever??? each room has a different theme. we stayed in a hobbit hole...there were also planes, trains, and last but not least a boat which they were working on constructing. as we drove up we were all a but skeptical and worried that we would be overwhelmed by the cheesie-ness of this hotel....but its all quite well done. the inside of our hobbit room was spacious, filled with clever decorations, and had a very hobbit esque feel, round doors and all.










so not only is this a clever hotel, it also runs a kiwi culture show. when we went to the reception to book our tickets to the show, we were informed that we were the only people signed up and at least 4 adults have to be present to have the show run. basically audience participation is key in this one. we got lucky and one couple showed up for the show...
the show was in a barn that was filled from floor to ceiling with old antiques and knick knacks. could've spent hours looking through all the stuff on the walls.
Billy Black put on the show and went through the history of new zealand. i learned heaps about how to saw through massive trees :)


mike went up on stage to help saw through a tree. billy black brags about having the world's first computer...basically ropes attached to barn fences and doors outside. he would "download" animals with his computer and poof, there they appeared on stage. there was trevor the dancing pig
....a possum, goat, sheep...which ilona and i sheered....

and last but not leas a MASSIVE cow he rode in on. was a great show andHIGHLY recommend it to anyone passing through....


from there we went to see the glow worm caves. the major attraction for waitomo. went on a 45 min tour and walked through limestone shafts, a cathedral cavern, and of course glow worms. the guide took us all on a little boat ride to see the caves littered with a luminescent light. it was calm and relaxing...until you find out that these cute little ;glow worms; arent worms but maggots....and the glowing bit is their poop, working to attract its next meal...heh