Glow Worm Cave

Earlier this week Elder Saunders and I were told By Elder and Sister Witts about a place that you could see glow worms for free and not pay the extortionate cost of Waitomo Caves so we tried to find this place. I believe Elder Saunders must have phone Elder Witts 3 times at least asking for directions. Now you have to imagine this. We drove from Waitomo caves west towards Mangapohue Natural Bridge for 26km then a little further to Marokopa Fall about another 5km. turned around and came back towards Waitomo Caves stopping to visit the Piriri Caves. Then carried on driving until we got back to the Waitomo Caves again. It was then that he phoned Elder Witts for the last time and asked again where the glow worms could be seen for free. As soon as Elder Witts announced it was at the Natural bridge we knew exactly where to go. About half an hour  back west. We were so close but it was 8.30pm and all of us were getting tired. So what did we do? Actually it’s getting rather late while I’m writing this so I think I will continue in my next post. Night night.

Marokopa Falls and Piripiri Caves

Our next adventure took us to Marokopa Falls another ten minute walk that took about 20 mins. A long walk down then up again. Such a pretty place and it was fun seeing the Elders getting as close as they could to the falls. They had wanted to go to the rock just near the falls, but only managed to get to grass area and they were getting quite wet. Maybe they didn’t want to get Elder Saunders car wet but I would have loved to have seen them very wet, anything for a good photo, sorry Elder Moore and Elder Jenson. We then travelled a little further along the road to Piripiri Caves. This was a very dark cave that you went down into and you had to use a torch to see all the steps. I couldn’t take good pictures to show you sorry.

                                        Marokopa Falls                                                                        Inside look out from Piripiri Cave

Mangapohue Natural Bridge

After we left Kawhia we drove another hour to the Waitomo Caves. I do think that Elder Saunders was tempted to treat us all to a trip inside the caves to see the famous Glow worms. He asked them if we could get a family ticket which would save him about $90. He was asked how old the children were so he honestly told them about 20, nope children were from 4-14, sorry Elders no glow worms for you today. We went in search of the Natural bridge about 26km away. It said that the bridge was a 10 minute walk, more like 15, then we carried on around into the bush and back to the car park. That doesn’t sound very exciting but let me tell you it was. The walk to the bridge was on wooden planks and at one point you cross over the gorge on a shaky bridge. Thankfully it was not very long. The view was so pretty and worth the walk. Then as we were walking a little further into the bush I saw two Parrots, yes wild Parrots. See photos as evidence. We also saw other birds that I have yet to identify plus they wouldn’t pose for photos, shame!

Kawhia

While I was out shopping this week a lady in a shop stopped me and spoke to me and we chatted for a while. She didn’t live in Hamilton so I asked her what she was doing in this area and she told me that she was here for a meeting with the tribes around  this area to help them sort out land issues. I am really interested in the Maori culture so she told me about Kawhia Kai Festival that was happening on Saturday. So I told her I would do my very best to go. We did go and thoroughly enjoyed our day. Kai is Moari for food so as you can imagine Elder Saunders said “Don’t you get me to eat anything!”

We took with us two of the missionaries that finished their mission next week Elder Moore and Elder Jenson. I hope they enjoyed their day we certainly enjoyed their company. It took us over an hour to get to Kawhia (pronounced Ka fe a). One of the first things we saw was the children coming to shore on Wakas (Maori canoes) and chanting a Haka. When they climbed out of their Wakas they then did a Haka on the shore. It was great, didn’t understand a work they said but it was still great. I had a traditional meal that was cooked in the ground a Hangi. It constisted of Chicken, Pork, Potato, Kumara and fried bread and it was delicious. Now the question you are all asking is did Elder Saunders try anything, of course he did, but only the pork.

 

 

 

Stick em up!

                                      Elder Saunders have too much fun with Elder Nelson.

Funny Sights

We have seen some funny sights and here are just a few of them

      

       Burger and Fries to take away!                                                   Careful we are behind the X Men!

 

                                                                   How much is that doggy out the window?

Elders Saunders on the Road

 

Thought I would give you a day in the life of Elder Sauders.
He left home just after 7 in the morning to travel to Tauranga, about 120 miles. He first went to the Zone Leaders flat to pick up Elder Nelson and Elder Witt  so that they could spend the morning with him lifting the good out the minibus. Next we went to Te Puke to drop off Elder Witt and pick up Elder Kirk the 2^nd Zone Leader. While they were there they inspected the TE Puke flat. It was such a horrid mess the last time we visited it so Elder S was not expecting much different but it was very good. Then off on their travels to inspect other flats. Sister Finau and Sister Doole’s flat was also very good, although a little untidy with clothes around the place. He didn’t have a key to Elder William and Elder Landis flat so Elder Nelson climbed through a window, which should not have been open, (especially as that flat was broken into a few weeks ago ,black mark!!!!) Their flat was untidy was quite clean, even the dishes had been washed. They only wanted a power cord, so not a big delivery but a fan was confiscated a fan because there was no front guard on it and the motor case was broken, also they had left it on while they were out. Elder S looked at a washing machine that was leaking water and unblock a sink at Sister Fisher and Sister Ryan’s flat. The amount of hair and fluff he took out was disgusting and it was all wrapped around a small lollypop stick. Washing machine all fixed so off to the next stop. Sister Wilks and Sister Croft’s flat very tidy and clean and were given new saucepans and a dishwashing brush. Next he had to collect a power supply and a preach my gospel book from Sister Lalogagau and Sister Abel’s flat which was left behind by a sister in Auckland. Their flat was also very clean and tidy. There were still more flats to inspect but time was slipping by so he dropped the Zone Leaders home and carried on his travels to Rotorua which took about 1 ½ hours. Again he inspected the Zone Leaders flat, Elder Barker and Elder Hixson. That was untidy, but what do you expect from Elders as they live out of a suitcase most of the time. But I think it was overall clean. He dropped off their post then started his travels home which again took about 1 ½ hours and arrived home about 6 o’clock. Phew what a long day. But it didn’t end there he had a phone call that evening to say that there was another water blockage in a washing machine in Manurewa. So that was his Thursday morning planned out for him.

Now I must add that last weekend I suggested that we give the missionaries little treats and rewards if their flat was clean. Not sure if I’ve mentioned this before. Gold if it was excellent, silver for very good, bronze for good and nothing if bad. All these flats were silver and silver plus. So they all have biscuits and brownies.