This morning we toured the Nikau caves, which is way off the beaten path of typical NZ tourists. The more popular caves are in Waitomo, but from what we have heard they are very much commercialized, a typical tourist spot. The Nikau caves are just amazing, but I have no pictures. As a side Emily wants everyone to know that the Nikau palm tree is the most southerly palm tree in the world, there are many around Waikaretu. Our guide, the owner of the property, Phillip Woodward, discovered the caves as a child with a friend in 1953, he bought the land in 1978 and opened the caves to the public about 15 years ago. I have no pictures because you literally have to crawl on your hands and knees, through 6 to 8 inches of water in places. Phillip strongly suggested you leave anything you can’t hold in your mouth behind, I am glad I listened. The trek through the caves is about a kilometer, takes about 1 ½ hours and you will be wet and dirty when you come out, but is it worth it. The stalagmites, stalactites, and glow worms are spectacular. We really enjoyed the caves, and our hosts went out of there way, as usual, to make us welcome. They suggested we take the scenic route along the coast back to Auckland, which was one place they filmed ‘Lord of the Rings’, again the scenes were breath taking, I took pictures but they are nothing like the real thing. We are now in Auckland airport, departing here at 7:15PM NZ time (03:15AM ET) and we will get home at 10AM ET about 31 hours travel time L .Friday, May 15, 2009
Saturday, 16May09, Waikaretu – Port Waikato - Auckland
This morning we toured the Nikau caves, which is way off the beaten path of typical NZ tourists. The more popular caves are in Waitomo, but from what we have heard they are very much commercialized, a typical tourist spot. The Nikau caves are just amazing, but I have no pictures. As a side Emily wants everyone to know that the Nikau palm tree is the most southerly palm tree in the world, there are many around Waikaretu. Our guide, the owner of the property, Phillip Woodward, discovered the caves as a child with a friend in 1953, he bought the land in 1978 and opened the caves to the public about 15 years ago. I have no pictures because you literally have to crawl on your hands and knees, through 6 to 8 inches of water in places. Phillip strongly suggested you leave anything you can’t hold in your mouth behind, I am glad I listened. The trek through the caves is about a kilometer, takes about 1 ½ hours and you will be wet and dirty when you come out, but is it worth it. The stalagmites, stalactites, and glow worms are spectacular. We really enjoyed the caves, and our hosts went out of there way, as usual, to make us welcome. They suggested we take the scenic route along the coast back to Auckland, which was one place they filmed ‘Lord of the Rings’, again the scenes were breath taking, I took pictures but they are nothing like the real thing. We are now in Auckland airport, departing here at 7:15PM NZ time (03:15AM ET) and we will get home at 10AM ET about 31 hours travel time L .
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ReplyDeleteFred/June/Emily .. when you get this you will be stateside. Welcome home.. we'll check your flights for any delay..otherwise we'll see you at the airport. Thanks for the blog reports.. it was fun to follow your trip.
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