Waitomo Caves

The Waitomo caves are formed from under water rivers and passages that erode huge cavernous tunnels. The rivers and waterfalls make for an adventurous trip to view not only the caves but also the glow worms. The glow worms are actually maggots the size of a matchsticks which burn off there waste matter that then produces a light.

In order to explore these caves we went down the underground river on inner tubes. This "black water rafting" included drifting down tight passages, limboing under low rock ceilings and racing down rushing water passages in complete darkness. The light from the glow worms guided us through this underwater labyrinth. The scariest part was jumping backwards in our inner tubes off a 3 meter waterfall in complete darkness.