First up this morning was a trip from our hotel to Waitomo Caves for an amazing glowworm experience. This was one of several glowworm caves in the region that have been famous tourist attractions since the late Nineteenth Century. This cave is owned by the original Maori Tribe who discovered it in 1887. Chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor, Fred Mace, were exploring the caves. They built a raft made of flax and floated into the dark hidden cave using only candles for illumination. Here they discovered a myriad of tiny bright lights dotted along the cave ceiling. They soon realized that the luminescent cave dots were in fact thousands of glowworms. The cave was opened to tourists in 1889 and it soon became a very successful tourist operation. In 1904 the administration of the cave was taken over byy the government. However, in 1990, the land and the cave were returned to the descendants of the original owners. The Crown also retained an interest in the caves which is now administered by the Department of Conservation. Many of the staff employed at the attraction are direct descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife, Huti. The extremely beautiful and artistic design of the tourist attraction. No pictures of any kind, even without flash, are allowed in the caves, thus the following pictures are from our CD. Although the boat is illuminated in the above picture, our trip by boat through the cave was in complete darkness and the thousands of glowworms were like stars in the sky (actually on the cave ceiling). The glowworm lives for about 11 months, with a four-stage life cycle. Eggs are laid in clutches of 30-40 on walls and ceilings. Immediately after hatching from the egg. the glowworm larvae emit a light, build a nest, put down lines and feed (see above). Sticky substances on the line trap insects and these are drawn up and devoured. The larvae stage lasts around 9 months. It then turns into a pupa in a cocoon and emerges as a two winged flying insect similar to a large mosquito. Huge stalactites and stalagmites form many decorative sculptures in the caves. Stalactites grow down from the ceiling and stalagmites grow up from the floor. The Waitomo caves are made up of multiple levels. The upper levels are dry and include the entrance to the Catacombs, the Pipe Organ, the Banquet Chamber, and the Cathedral. The lower level consists of the stream passages and the Glowworm Grotto. Many sweet sounds have been heard from the largest cavern, 'The Cathedral.' Famous singers and choirs have performed there in the past and have been very impressed with the acoustic purity created from the enclosed shape and rough ground. Exiting the boat after our underground glowworm tour. Both the walking tour of the caves and the boat trip through them was very powerful. We were advised to be very quiet as we floated through the cave. It truly was a spiritual experience to see these thousands of glowworms shining their light in the total darkness and our privilege in being able to witness them in peace in their centuries-old home.
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After a scenic drive we arrived at the Chelmswood Hotel in Taupo. What a great time at this hotel that was located directly off the lake. There was a big pool that was basically a huge hot tub to luxuriate in and rest our aching bones and muscles from a day of touring. Sunset from our room. Fun under the pool's very hot waterfall. Traveled 7500 miles only to get eaten by Jaws at poolside. Had to have pizza one night from HELL PIZZA. The daylight view from our hotel room. What is that ominous-looking funnel shaped mountain in the distance?
On Thursday, March 27, Jody, JoeAnn, Brendan and I left Wellington via vehicle and drove to Taupo on the North Island for a 4 day trip to this region. Little did I realize that this trip would be the Yin and Yang of Middle Earth. First up on the trip was a picnic lunch in a pretty park. Preparing your own food for lunches and dinners is a great way to save money in very expensive New Zealand.
I just had to go back to the WETA Cave with Brendan and JoeAnn. I had just as much fun the second time through. I always enjoy seeing the trolls outside,
After Jody returned from Christchurch with her Mom and son, she and I set out Saturday morning for Hastings, New Zealand to see the international HORSE OF THE YEAR show. We stayed overnight in Napier, the Art Deco capitol of New Zealand. Unfortunately, we weren't there long enough to see the artowrk that made Napier famous, but we plan to make an attempt to return. The horse show as great and Jody was in love with the event. It was exciting and we even got to get ourselves new chapeaus.
On Monday, March 17, 2014, Jody's mother and son and I went to the Wellington Botanical Gardens for a tour. Another beautiful day in Wellington. Where's Waldo? Can you find Brendan in this picture?
Jody began four days working in Christchurch today and took her Mum and Brendan with her so they could sight-see parts of the South Island. In the meantime, I had fun this evening over a dinner of fish and chips and Guinness at Molly Malones Irish Pub in Wellington along with Kevin, the nephew of my good friends, Gary and Kathy Feige, who are busy watching Pippin in their home in Punta Gorda. Kevin has already visited 25 countries by the ripe old age of 22. He has been in New Zealand attending rugby games, will be leaving in a few days to spend some time in Australia, and then returning to the States to finish up his college degree in international affairs. Ah, seeing the world while he's young - the best way to do it. His parents should be very proud. I had a great time.
Just so you know, inequality is worldwide and happening in New Zealand too. I just purchased this new book in a local NZ store.
Jody's son, Brendan, and her mother, JoeAnn, arrived in Wellington yesterday to spend three weeks with us. This morning, Jody's daughter and son-in-law got on a plane and returned to the Seattle area. Before leaving, we had a wonderful dinner at home yesterday with Jody's whole family, as well as with her co-worker, Judi. Today, Brendan and I did a six mile walk around Wellington and had a delicious lunch at St. John's Restaurant (our favorite Wellington restaurant) down on the wharf while Jody and her Mom shopped in Petone outside of Wellington.
Yesterday, Thursday, I joined Jody's co-worker, Judi, at the Michael Fowler Center for my first New Zealand Orchestra concert, a lunchtime performance of one of my favorite symphonies, Shostakovich's 5th. What a great venue and moving performance. Can't wait to attend more concerts as we have three pending between now and when we leave in August.
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July 2017
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