The last port of call - we arrived (6am) in drizzle and considerable haze but the view of the city was fantastic. We docked in the far right inlet of the photo here. We had to vacate our cabins by 8:30a.m., so they could be cleaned and ready for the return trip to Tahiti. We cleared customs without a hitch because they had already come on board and checked us all out - how efficient! We took a taxi to the car rental place, got in our Toyota Siena and departed for Rotorua and the final three days of our journey.
As soon as we docked and tied up, this huge fuel tanker came alongside. I was impressed by how clean it was - not what I expected. It gradually edged forward - thank goodness because it stopped right beneath my cabin and I was packing and dressing!
One last photo of Auckland port area - what a beautiful city it is - I'd have liked to spend more time there although I'm not a 'big city' person.
Driving out of town, we passed a pickup with this on the rear window. It immediately brought a picture to mind but it gave me a chuckle anyway.
We left Auckland, heading for Rotorua where we had reservations in a lakeside lodge for three nights - it was a couple of hours' drive. We stopped at a rest stop on the highway for refreshments and found this fantastic cafe. The 'rest stops' aren't just toilets and picnic area - they are small shopping centers for highway traffic.
I took so many photos of the green rolling hills and farms and drove everyone nuts with: "it's just like England" ... click click click.
Our first main stop was to visit Aranui and Glow Worm Caves. This totem was by the ticket booth and stood about 20 feet tall. As you can see (the inscription on the bottom of the totem), the caves were discovered over 120 years ago. I'm a little claustrophobic but I love looking in caves - makes no sense - maybe I'm more curious than scared.
Aranui Cave was the first one we went in - it's very much like most other caves - lots of caverns (the river mostly dried up), stalactites, stalagmites and interesting formations. What surprised me here was the lighting that's in the caves. In other caves I've been in, the lighting is scant at best - in this one, the guide has a strong flashlight which she used to show us certain areas. There were no bats in the cave either - there used to be but something must have happened to scare them away.
Glow Worm Caves were a whole different experience. We were not allowed to take photos because these creatures live in the dark. This photo is actually a postcard but it accurately reflects what the glow worms' glow looks like. We didn't see as many as there are here, but we saw clusters of them from just a few to very many.
In order to feed, the glow worms excrete this stringy, mucus-like substance that hangs down from their bodies and acts like fly paper. Bugs fly into it and get stuck. I was surprised there were so many bugs flying around in a pitch dark, cold, damp cave but apparently there are sufficient to support the worms.
I don't like bugs any more than anyone else, but these bugs are fascinating. This is a glow worm hatching from its cocoon - rather like butterflies. Their life-span is only a few days so they hatch, feed, lay eggs and die in less than a week.
The last part of the tour of these caves was by boat - which was a little fun. This is the cave exit - we could finally start taking photos again after we left the glow worms.
Continuing our drive on to Rotorua, we saw some neat sights along the way. This kiwi stood out - literally. It was about 10 feet tall and colorful. Zooming past at 70 mph didn't leave me time to get it centered but at least I snapped it.
We finally arrived at Waiteti Lodge on Rotorua Lake - just a few minutes outside of town. This is the view of one side of the lake - there are lots more to be posted, showing the rest of the beautiful lake.
This is one of their really neat phone booths - a little like the English ones but larger and less confining. Not very interesting, but it's something you wouldn't have known had I not put it here!
Here's another photo of Lake Rotorua, taken from Waiteti Lodge, where we stayed. I'd taken some photos of the black swans and what looked like mudhens, then I saw this skiff heading to shore. The setting there is just gorgeous and the lodge is right on the lake.
This is my last photo for today of this gorgeous lake - I just had to include part of the Lodge's garden - remember, we were there in their Spring - November our time.
Our first night in Rotorua, after our visits to the caves and general exploring of the area, we went into a pub in town for dinner .. this is a street scene. Very similar to smaller-town USA but very clean and inviting.
Waiteti Lodge is right on the lake, next to a stream. The guest rooms are all upstairs including this huge lounge area which has a computer and desk, pool table, TV, and a long counter with everything necessary for morning tea, coffee, biscuits (cookies), etc. and wine glasses. There were two en-suite bedrooms and two bedrooms that slept 2 persons and one separate bathroom. We all got a good night's sleep after our full day of travel and excitement.THREE MORE DAYS TO POST . .STAY TUNED
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