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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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“Imagine the scene, three sunburnt frogmen walking through the sunny rainforest carrying rubber rings and wearing mining ... ” |
Hastily arranged the previous night over pizza, the adventure caving experience took in Charleston a one horse town near greymouth. Conducted from the local hotel and previously run as a hobby it promised to be an intimate affair, particularly since Liz and Dave were the only ones on the trip.
After an extensive and frightening liability waiver.They soon found themselves being kitted out with wetsuits and mining hats and boarding the "rainforest express", a Morris Minor re-encarnated as an ingenious home made train, running on a track through the forest. Despite some mechanical difficulties they had a pleasent journey and eventually arrived at the start of the tour - Much to the relief of Liz and Dave, who were still sufferring from the previous days kayak and didn't relish the thought of walking the tracks!
The first challenge of the day was to get into the wetsuits - which were built for people of unnatural proportions - and all male - Liz was especially fond of the pouch on the front of hers. Looking and feeling slightly ludicrous they set off for the cave - Imagine the scene, three sunburnt frogmen walking through the sunny rainforest carrying rubber rings and wearing mining helmets!
The guide was very friendly and interesing - knowledgeable about New Zealand and especially its environment - a real David Bellamy (or is that David Bailey as they paused for photo oppertunities with alarming frequency considering thier appearance).
Soon they were plunging into the depths of the cave system, which had single path to protect the intricate and quite beautiful rock structures in the other areas - The cave was a showcase for every structure imaginable and the guide carefully explained how they would form over thousands of years.
Liz was looking slightly concerned when they discussed the section that was damaged by an earthquake, Dave was also concerned and trying not to show it. The guide said he wouldn't mind being there if there was one, as the cave had survived them before - but the size of the rocks fallen from the roof made Liz and Dave think they would rather experience one elsewhere.
The highlight of the trip was a journey on the rubber ring down the underground stream illuminated by glow worms - a spectacular site and an unworldly experience in the otherwise total darkness. Dave started to worry when the guide yelped that something huge had touched his hand in the dark water and thought it was an eel - fortunately Liz didn't hear!
The trio emerged at in a river and the ride home through the rapids was most enjoyable - apparently the trick to avoid injury is to lift your bum up on the ring - not difficult considering the temperature of the water that it was dipping in!!
Another ride on the train, and it was back to the hotel for a cheesy lunch before hitting the road for Glacier country
previous travel blog entry
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