On the Road Again & Again & Again: Bay of Islands and Glow Worms? You know, like in the song "Shine little glow worm, glimmer, glimmer!

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Bay of Islands and Glow Worms? You know, like in the song "Shine little glow worm, glimmer, glimmer!

Oh gosh! We had to get up early today! Going to see some Glow Worms! Ship dropped anchor in the Bay of Islands and we tendered in about 8:30 in the morning. Still in New Zealand, still enjoying the lush green… I guess I failed to mention, they too have been inundated with rain… but, boy, sure makes the countryside beautiful.

Hopped in the this new looking bus on the outside (well, they assigned us there) and after we were on the road, we realized, it was really more of a lipstick on a pig sorta bus. Absolutelly no shock absorbers and boy, sitting in the back, we were being tossed in our seats, bouncing in our seats, and thinking, “Are we gonna make it?” Obviously, we did make it, but rumor has it, that bus is not going to be here in a year. It will be worn out before then.

The Glow Worm Cave was pretty cool. You walk in this cave… proceed along with just a few lights, and then, when you 2/3^’sof the way in, all lights go out, you look at the ceiling of the cave, and see, what I can only describe, is like a Milky Way Star pattern. It was pretty cool. Our guide explained how the glow worms live/survive and how, after about a year, they’re toast! The little lights we see are the glow worm’s way of attracting their next meal… Mosquitos and the like. No photos were allowed, so you will just have to trust me on this !

Made our way back to the town of Kawakawa (remember I said how all these cities in NZ sound like they belong in Hawaii?). Anyway, our driver wanted us to check out a bathroom in the town…WHAT? Like good little kids, we did and discovered the whole town was where the artist/designer Hundertwasser lived and created many artistic buildings throughout the world. He died in 2000 and the town built many tributes to him mimicking the restrooms he designed.

Also, checked out some more rainforest further on – the Manginangina Kauri Walk with its Gum trees were there. And they were huge! The walkway we took throughout the area was built of the same wood. It seems indestructible.

Okay… I’m getting sleepy, so gonna cut this short. Hope you’re having a great day! Oh yes, another bridge pic... The one below isn't the real one... but was fun taking it!!!