Today we was up early so we could get to hot water beach when the tide was right and sample some hot pools! It's located just above a thermal outlet so it does actually get really hot! It was so cool!

When we arrived some people had already dug their own pool and were sat lazing around in it. The sand actually bubbles in parts and is incredibly hot to walk on! You have to get the right area otherwise you would burn your bottom haha! It's pretty awesome! We hung around for about 45minutes before making our journey to Waitomo.

I have been to Waitomo before and already done black water rafting but decided to do it again as it is good fun! We got dropped off at the caves about 1pm and headed off to get changed into freezing cold soggy wetsuits...nice! Highlight was Amy asking if hers was on the right way (after 10mins of trying to pull it on) and erm no Amy it's back to front haha!

We were taken to the river where we practised our waterfall jumps...the water was bloody FREEZING! I did it at a similar time last time I visited but don't remember it being THAT cold! brrr

We headed into the caves, which were lit up by glow worms...they look really pretty but I'm sure their not...basically they catch their prey by hanging web-like spindles from the cave roof and then their arses glow brightly to attract attention...then they turn into flies without a mouth, therefore cannot feed, therefore die...basically their purpose is just to breed lol that's all they do!

BUT they look pretty when they glow :-)

The rafting was fun but we were all ready to get a hot shower afterwards and a feed! Kim and Rick cooked an amazing yummy Prawn curry that night....BIG thanks guys it was awesome :-) just what we all needed after 3hours in the cold! Then we chilled out at the hostel which we had to ourselves before heading off to bed all absolutely shattered!!

Next stop Rotorua...