WAITOMO OVERNIGHT CAMP & CAVING ADVENTURES
We headed across the central North Island, our destination
WAITOMO….
Day one involved a visit to the Waitomo Discovery centre
where we were well informed about the formation of the Waitomo area, cave
systems, limestone, stalactites, and stalagmites. We explored the discovery center examining
fossils, skeletons of Moa, Kakapo and many more interesting creatures. We learned about glow worms, their behaviours
and how their beautiful glow is created.
We all embarked on the Ruakuri Bush walk, a beautiful walk
through native forest, under rock formations, through tunnels and over a fast
moving stream. We could get a close look
at cave weta up in cracks of the caves.
We toured the famous Waitomo Cave and travel down under
ground the glowworm grotto where we
traveled through the cave in a boat and were all left speechless as we gazed
up and millions and millions of glow worms sparkling down at us.
Our group stayed at TokiKapu Marae. We experienced a traditional Maori Powhiri
and stayed the night sleeping (some us!) in the Whare Nui.
Day two brought us to the Ruakuri Cave. This was an amazing experience. We were underground for an hour and a half,
travelling down a huge man made concreate drum, around a giant spiral
ramp. Exploring tunnels, left speechless
at the amazing stalagmites and stalactites, finding our way in the dark above
the rushing stream. At our lowest point
we 65 metres underground!
We traveled to the Otorahanga Kiwi house to learn about the
kiwi and we explored the bird and reptile park.
One final adventure found us at the Arapuni dam 65 meters
above ground on a swing bridge, over the Waikato River. We all made it across and back without too many
nerves exploding!
A magic time was had by all 20 children and our supportive
crew of teachers and parents. We had a
great team and all children were engaged, inspired and challenged throughout.
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