Day 2 – New Zealand – Extreme Challenge
I woke up about 7am started yesterdays blog and woke the girls.
It was overcast and looked like it rained during the night. Pam went to collect information on the caves.
We decided on the Rap, Raft and Rock adventure. A 5 hour adventure included a 30m abseil (rappel), dark water rafting, glow worms and a 30 meter 80 degree on rope climb.
We made reservations for 1pm and headed into Otorohanga about 9:30. Ate breakfast at the Thirsty Weta – great food and on to the Kiwi House. Everyone was skeptical put the Kiwi house was great. 2 Kiwis on exhibit and a great walk with local birds, plants and trees labeled. It was very pleasant and a great learning experience.
Then back to the caving adventure.
Our guide Das (Darren) was quite the character – from the UK he said he was a pizza maker by trade and decided a few days ago to start leading adventure treks. I was not sure if he was kidding. The questionnaire was very basic – weights of people and any medical conditions – acknowledgment that this could be dangerous.
A short van ride to a staging area where we donned wetsuits, goulashes' and hard hats – another van ride to the entrance. A sort lesson on connecting the rack to the line for abseiling and then to the platform – overlooking the 30 meter drop. I was first – my body was shaking once I was hanging in free space – from my abdomen trying to hold my body in place – probably not good form but I made it to the bottom – it felt like a tremendous accomplishment. I walked across the stream to the waiting area and waited with trepidation for the rest of the family. They all made it just fine – Allysha was awesome – I sat there thinking that we might be condition her to become an adrenaline junkie – it was incredible to see their confidence and their ability to overcome their fears . When Pam arrived the look on her face was one of shock – she could not believe she had just accomplished!
We also saw the climb out – and it was quite intimidating. But first we grabbed the tubes and headed up steam. It was amazing walking through the water into the cave system. Thoughts of the millennia it took for these caves to develop were at the front of my mind as I gazed on the stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Then we sat on a rocky shore and turned off our lights. The ceiling was alit with glow worms – it was like viewing the milky way on a cloud free night – simply spectacular.
We drifted down the river, stopping to crawl through numerous holes. It was quite frightening – I felt stuck on a number of occasions. There was no sure footing and in some places a fall would likely result in serious injury. I was cautious – especially with my ankle – the girls were phenomenal. We travelled a little over a km with some beautiful glow worms, some waterfalls that echo and sound like they are 100 meter drops – the first we came upon we had our lights out – I was nervous and wanted turn on my light so badly – but I had faith that our guide would keep us safe – although when he said to stand up at as we approached the sound of the waterfall I rolled out of the tube very quickly much to the amusement of the girls and the guide. Eventually we had a break for hot water and chocolate. Then the return. During the downstream trek I had been thinking that perhaps our exit point would be ahead of us – of course this was simply wishful thinking and the return was a hike upstream After the break we had the most technical part of the trek to that point - a small crawlway to a 20 foot drop off with very little footing and slick jagged rocks. It was a challenge for me – I was nervous for the girls – but Aria helped her sister and we all made it to the bed of the river safely – with a huge sigh of relief.
Eventually back to the exit climb. A brief discussion on how to attach to the rope – then Darren scaled it in about 3 minutes. Then it was our turn. Allysha was first – there was another group of cavers that had just arrived and were watching with us. I was so nervous – I knew in my mind that a serious fall was unlikely but my heart still skipped some beats. Although she paused a couple of times she indeed made it up – I was relieved and proud – next was Aria – what an amazing athlete our girls are – she was up cautiously and carefully quite quickly – what a determined purposeful and confident person she has become. Pam was next and she was very nervous – through the trek she had commented on them not asking more questions about size of the people, their capabilities – I could see this had pushed her well out of her comfort zone – but even so she pushed on and successfully negotiated the climb – again I was relieved. Finally my turn – unable to put full weight on my left foot – and even though I was aware of the 3 points of contact rule I am sure my form was terrible – and not safe. Handholds were slick and hard to find and I lost my grip once – and almost fell. Eventually I made it to the top and I am sure my face showed the weary, frightened and relieved.
A hike back – shedding our gear a quick shower and back to the office. We purchased the pictures on CD and got some information from Das. He said given the duration of our stay we should probably skip the long drive to bay of islands. We decided to head to Lake Taupo – south of Rotorua. On the way out we took a 45 minute trek that was amazing.
The drive to Taupo was 125k but the road was paved – woohoo!!
Arrived a little after 9pm found an Inn – Le Swiss Chalet and ate a great meal at Tauopo Steak and Ale. Back to the Inn – everyone was wired not in bed until 12pm.
Supposedly there is free Wi-Fi I will trying the morning.
