Caving in Waitomo

by Adam & Lara on 05/02/10

Caving has something for everyone.  For Lara, it was the skin-tight wetsuit, white gumboots and oversized helmet that made her look like a cross between a superhero and a special kid.  For Adam, it was the opportunity to cram himself into as many tight wet spaces as he could find.  And for our guide, it was the chance to intermingle with hilarious/attractive people like us.

We started by doing 2 lines of coke and rappelling down into a 30-meter crevice in the ground.  Or as Adam calls it, "Wednesday morning."

When we reached the bottom everything all of a sudden got extremely badass.

We followed an underground river into the cave.  As we got further in we had to crawl our way through passages.  The cave was full of beautiful formations, none of which Lara was able to see because her helmet was too big.  Her head was definitely not too small.  The helmet was the problem.

Thousands of little glow worms hung from the ceiling, providing an enchanting site for all of us and an enchanting meal for Pat.

In a fit of self-indulgence, Adam attempted to squeeze through the tightest crevice he could find.  And he did so successfully after some emergency coaching from the guide.  The guide said Adam was the 3rd person he'd ever seen get through that space, but whatever it's like no big deal.

We then went tubing down the pitch black river while hollering at girls to show their boobs in exchange for a Busch Light, just like back home.

Luckily there wasn't anything scary down there.  Just huge fucking eels.

Nothing makes you appreciate the ground more than having to climb your way up to it.

In case you were wondering, this is what Lara looks like when she's shitting herself.  I really hope you weren't wondering though.

Full pics can be seen here.