To WaitomoNov 4, 2005
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Rotorua to Waitomo - 163 KM - 11/4/05
Rotorua's early industry was logging. They have used clear cutting but also have a reforestation program in place. They are planting American Redwoods, which grow much faster here than in the US, but the rapid growth produces softer wood. They prune the trees up to 6 meters to preclude limbs that would create knots, thus producing an 18 foot clear log at harvest. The pruned trees, plus the spring bloom of the Scots Broom along the forest edge makes for a scenic drive through the woodlands.
We did a Rain Forest walk out to a big Kauri tree (the NZ equivalent of our NW Old Redwoods). This was the first "drippy" rain forest walk we have done to date. We had rain overnight and had just entered a large shower area before we arrived at the start of the walk. This tree is about 1800 years old, and probably sprouted just after the eruption of Mount Rotorua.
Today's route also included a new "cultural experience" - a deom shearing of Angolia Rabbits. The business has 300 rabbits, which are sheared 4 times a year. Hard to believe they grow the fur that fast. The demos are primarily to draw tourists in for "retail shopping therapy". Two tour buses stopped while we were there.
The objective of today's destination was to let us visit the Glowworm Caves. There are a number of large limestone caves in the Waitomo area that have these tiny worms inside. Think flightless fireflys, except these worms move very slowly so must stay lighted all the time to attract a mate. They appear to have no useful purpose (well now they enable the harvest of tourist dollars). No photos as they weren't allowed in the caves. You could however, buy their $30 DVD which had photos of them.
In the evening we went on a "bush walk" through a park to see the glowworms. It was a very unusual hiking trail as it went through 3 short caves along the route. A couple of them had some glowworms. We started back too early to get the best display, but did see good numbers starting to glow in the darker areas of limestone cliffs along the path. Thirty minutes later would have provided a much better show, but some folks are nervous in the dark, even on well established paths. Sally didn't go tonight as she has caught the Tour Crud and the night air would be bad as it is at it's most intense stage today. A full box of kleenex day today.
We had several "killdeer" type birds (but larger) at the edge of the campground, and a wild turkey on the hillside some distance away. Didn't have a long enough lens to get a good close photo of it. (Better turkey photos coming)
