Kiwi Cave Rafting, offered a combination of climbing, abseiling and black water rafting as well as showing us the famous Waittomo glow worms. We were the only two on our tour so we had the two guides to ourselves. We kitted up in wetsuits and fetching pink over trousers, slipped into our harnesses and were shown how to use some of the caving gear.

The rain had caused problems so as I abseiled down into the dark abyss the river that met me was waist deep rather than the normal knee deep. This just made things more exciting, we would have gotten wet anyway!

The guides walked us up stream into deeper, darker caves. They seemed to find pleasure out of finding smaller and smaller gaps to fit through. I think I surprised them in squeezing through the smallest they could find. With both arms stretched out in front I used my toes to propel myself. Now far far away from daylight it was time to see the infamous Arachnocampa luminosa (Glow Worm). Although pitch black, the caves are accessible to flying insects so the Glow Worms have evolved to fool the insects into thinking they are a safe and clear exit. Little do they know that the enticing glow will lead them to a sticky death. The glow worms are related to spiders and create a web like sticky strand to catch their pray.

Some guides tell storied of singing to the worms to make them shine brighter but this is just a myth. Once your eyes adjust to the light the caves ceiling and walls start to shimmer like a starry night sky. Up close you can see the tiny glowing backside of the worm and its sticky rope. The droplets of sticky goo catch and almost amplify the glow creating a beautiful effect. While studying one up close we were lucky enough to watch a fly fall foul of one of nature's most elaborate trick. Although thinking about it now, maybe our LED head lights gave this worm and unfair advantage. Once the fly is stuck the worm slowly hauls in his line and then sets about wrapping the fly just like a spider would. Ready to eat later.

Done in the caves it was time to make our way back out. So we jumped onto our inflated inner tubes held our feet high above the water line and let the current float us out. With only the faint light from our headlamps you often had no idea of where you heading and what might be in your way. Luckily the guides did so we made it out safely. The climb back out was pretty simple but the odd slimy rock added a little challenge.

We had always planned on doing the caves of Waitomo but thanks to the weather in Taupo we had to squeeze it in a little. Now it was time to head back and finally do our skydive!!