We had an uneventful drive down to Auckland, where our lane left the motorway and deposited us unceremoniously in downtown Auckland. Tom’s navigating skills came into their own, cos when he asked me for directions, I threw my toys out of the cot!! His suggestion of “well a map of the bl***y place would be a good start”, was not too well received, so we stopped while he found out where we were, and how to get back to the motorway. By the way, if you do come to NZ, don’t try to travel North from Auckland on a Saturday, especially a public holiday weekend. The traffic going North was horrendous, with miles of crawling vehicles. Fortunately, we were going South, so had a clear run.
We had decided to try for Waitomo Caves, South of Hamilton, visit the caves, then find somewhere to stay, just South of there. We made it to the caves by 1.45pm, and joined a tour at 2.30pm to the Glow-worm Caves. This was a most enjoyable experience, even though I don’t like caves. I was fine, apart from when they put the lights out for the first time, and we were left for a couple of minutes in pitch black. It was so quick that by the time I thought I might panic, the light was on again.
We then went down another level to the river that runs through the cave system, and boarded a boat.
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As we left the jetty, we went into the dark, but this time I wasn’t at all bothered cos there were millions of glow-worms on the roof, and it was spectacular. .jpg)
We came out and had our photo taken just before leaving the boat, walked up to the shop, and were able to buy a copy of the photo that had just been taken, together with a CD ROM of the caves. You can't take photos inside the cave, so the two above are examples from the CD ROM.
The Museum of the Caves was included in the entry price, so we had the tour, and an audio-visual presentation on the sex-life of the glow-worm. Must say, we didn’t fancy the technique. You hatch from a pupa, mate once, don’t eat, and die 4 days later.
After a coffee at the Long Black Café (apparently famous), 
we set off at about 4.45 to find accommodation for the night. We headed for Mokau on the West coast, up and down and round and round some of the most winding and undulating roads we have ever been on. If you plan to drive this road, make sure no-one is prone to car-sickness.
There was no accommodation, and hardly any houses until we got to Mokau, and the only motel there was full. Never mind, we’d drive a little further along the coast. There was bound to be one soon. And we drove, and we drove, and running short of fuel, we diverted into Waitara town centre, where the only hotel looked dreadful, and at this stage we still had hope. At the fuel station, the lady suggested we drive on to New Plymouth. There was plenty of accommodation there. Fortunately, she was correct. Unfortunately, they were all full.
So we stopped, got out the AA accommodation guide, and started phoning. After a while we started looking for the new star in the East, as there was clearly no room at any Inn. We worked our way through the guide, getting farther and farther from New Plymouth, and eventually found a vacancy at the Forrestal Lodge in Inglewood. By the time we got here at 9pm, having stopped off for a takeaway chicken and chips, our short day had turned into 420Km. It’s a good job Tom doesn’t mind driving.
The lodge is an old convent, 
so we’re in cell 5 for the night. And it does rather feel like we’re doing penance. The room has two single beds, and a bunk, and a sink. 
At the end of the corridor is the loo, with the shower next door. These ablutions serve the entire lodge. Nuns must have had very strong bladders. However, the price of NZ$90 for the night does include two breakfasts, and they very kindly let us use their wireless internet for free, so Tom can post yesterday and today at one go.
It’s now 11pm and our “short” day has gone on quite long enough, so goodnight all.
1 comment:
Phew!!
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