Once arrived at Waitomo we checked in at recption of the Black Abyss Caing centre where we were to go on a 3 hour tour experience of the caves. We were ferried to the start point by minibus after getting kitted up and there we had a couple practice goes down a hill using the abseil gear. We were then ready for the off. We repelled 35metres down into the black cave. From here we ventured deeper into the caves. We were then met by pitch blackness as we were told to switch our headlamps on. One by one we were then hooked up to some cables and before you knew it we were flying fox down further depper into the cave network!! Once at the bottom we were fed and given hot drinks and were then handed a rubber inner tube and told to jump into the river below us. Quite a drop and there was a technique to it, the technique being to land sqaure on your arse in the tube!! Good fun but freezing cold once you hit that water. Obviously dark caves deep underground coupled with water = cold conditions!!!! We then drifted and pullied ourselves along the river using a rope. We then linked into a cattepillar type formation and proceeded to drift along in pitch darkness with our headlamps off with the thousands of glowworms lighting the way. We were then told a bit of information about the glowworms and the fact that they are in fact maggots and the glow that everyone enjoys seeing so much is in fact their s***!! nice action. After a few waterfall climbs and some more swimming in the water we were all frozen through and the light from outside could be seen as we ascended back up to ground level. Truly a fantastic days caving which was also very interesting as well as enjoyable. That was Waitomo done. After returning to their base camp we were given hot soup (definately required) before we set off to leave. As we attempted to leave we realised we had a flat battery, as some idiot had left the lights on, oh yeah that would be me!! Doh. Luckily enough staff had jump leads and we were back on our way again in no time and heading down towards Mount Ruapehu as we had been told that since NZ had such a good winter there was still snow boarding available here. Fingers crossed, we would be in luck as we had written this off initially as thought season was over.