Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Saturday was the much anticipated trip to see the famous glowworm caves in Waitomo. We rode the bus for several hours north to get there, which was long but worth it. We explored the limestone caves for most of the tour, then climbed into a rocking boat on an underground river. It was perfectly pitch black except for the green worms, phosphorescent and luminous along the ceiling. We glided silently along the dark river for only about ten minutes, faces turned upward toward those thousand tiny lights glowing above us. The experience was intensely spiritual, short though it was. In my imagination we rode the river Styx down to the underworld.

When we reached the end of the line the light from the cave opening blinded us and I had to blink several times. The transition from total darkness to dazzling sunlight was sudden and surprising. Not the underworld at all, but a lush, living jungle! We exited the boat and walked along the river in a dripping rainforest to the sound of cicadas buzzing in the trees.

No pictures were allowed inside the cave, but I managed to snap a few on the trail at the entrance and exit.

Te Hana Te Ao Marama

Friday was our trip to the Maori Cultural Center: Te Hana Te Ao Marama. We took a guided tour through a 17th century traditional Maori village. It consisted of the Marae Powhiri (welcome), in which one tribe welcomes the other via some scary posturing; brandishing spears, in-your-face screaming, widening the eyes, and thrusting out the tongue. Our "chief" (one of the male students selected out of our group) was required to stand perfectly still while the warriors from the tribe tried to intimidate him. Once he had proved unflappable, they welcomed us with a traditional Moari song, to which we responded by singing "you are my sunshine," which is apparently a traditional song from our culture (?).

We started our tour by entering the village through an underground cave.

Then continued past the village fortifications.



And around a series of thatched huts.


At the Chief's hut, a larger and more well built structure, we were treated to a cultural performance which included the Haka and other traditional Maori songs and dances.


And finally, we were led to a large grassy field where the tour guide told us the story of the Moari princess Te Hana who fell in love with a warrior from another tribe and launched a war. This is her statue.

Radio Samoa

Wednesday was a bonafide field trip to Radio Samoa, the Samoan radio station and newspaper. It was educational and extremely interesting to hear about how this tiny little operation serves the Samoan community throughout New Zealand and Australia. Since our students are studying media in its various forms, it was a great experience for them.

The staff at the radio station were extremely helpful, informative and hospitable. After a presentation and tour of the station, they fed us a traditional Samoan lunch, which consisted of some delicious noodles and pork, taro in coconut cream, and fried bread balls. I think taro is my new favorite food.

On our way home, we stopped at a nearby mall to let the students do some shopping. We found this store and took a picture to send to Jake.

Waitakere, Ketekete, the Falls and Piha

Monday was yet another exhaustive day of hiking, swimming and exploring with the Cockers. Our first stop was the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, where we looked out over this tremendous expanse of rainforest.

After that we jumped back into the car and drove to beach called Ketekete. It was a bit of a hike to get there, and on the way Sadie found a great climbing tree.

The hike was sweaty, and the black sand infused with iron ore was particularly hot on our feet. But it was completely worth it when we came out of the jungle to see this:

Then another hike took us along this breathtaking river...

...and back to the park for a picnic lunch. All that tramping builds an appetite.

If you think the day was over after that, you would be wrong. After lunch we continued by car to the mouth of a trail that took us even deeper into the bush. 

Up, up, up we went, climbing higher and higher above the forest floor. A break in the dense brush finally revealed the goal:

Climbing back down to the base of the falls was somewhat treacherous, but we made it. We were rewarded with a refreshing swim in ice-cold mountain river water.

Sadie challenged Clark with every insult she could think of to get him into the cold water. I think questioning his manhood was the tactic she used most forcefully.

Eventually, it worked.

On the hike back, I took this picture of a tree stump that looked like a huge tortoise. Cause that's just the kind of stuff you see here.

Our final stop of the day was Piha beach. It was definitely the crowning event. The waves were amazing. Garrick brought his son's surfboard and gave the boys some boogie boarding tips. Brennan wasn't too impressed, and after a few minutes went back to digging around in the sand. But Ira loved it. In the background you can see the famous Lion Rock.

Tawharanui

We had so much fun at the beach on Thursday that our indefatigable friends (the Cockers) insisted on going to an even better beach on Friday. They really are quite amazing.

And the beach they took us to was amazing as well. It was located out on a nature preserve about 30 minutes out of Auckland. The only way to get there was via a conglomeration of winding back roads - sometimes gravel - that led through a forest and then opened suddenly on to the beach. My pictures don't do it justice, but it was incredible.

Long Bay

Thursday our friends Deborah and Garrick took us out to a beach called Long Bay. By this time my sunburn had started to heal a bit, so I felt okay going back to the beach. But I was infinitely more careful and re-applied sunscreen every hour or so. I still got a little sunburned.

Sigh.

Apparently my Mexican heritage is grossly overshadowed by my Irish heritage.

Nevertheless, the beach was beautiful and the waves were impressive.

And Garrick taught us to play Cricket. How very British of him.

Hamilton, New Zealand Temple

Tuesday we travelled to Hamilton and visited the temple. We had originally planned to do some baptisms, but the font was booked solid. A group from French Polynesia had travelled long distances and made many sacrifices to attend the temple in New Zealand that day. Another reminder of how convenient our practices of worship are in Utah. Another reminder to be grateful.

So we walked on the grounds, went through the visitor's center, took some pictures, and just had a lovely day at the temple feeling the spirit of the place.

Our BYU Students. Such a great group!

Apparently it is a tradition among the members of the church here in New Zealand to stop for ice cream at this particular ice cream shop on the way home from temple trips. And who are we to break tradition? Any excuse for ice cream is a good one, wouldn't you agree?