Tokomaru Bay

 

                                                         This was not the food we ate this day!

We did have a lie in on Saturday and managed to Skype home before heading to the shops again this time to get sharp knives for another pair of missionaries. We then headed up along the coast from Gisborne to Tokomaru Bay. I’ve mentioned it before but this flat has the most amazing and best scenic view in the whole mission and lucky Elder George and Elder Mitchell live there. Although last Monday it was a different story when I had a very worried Elder on the phone afraid that the cyclone storm was going to get worse. Luckily for us all it didn’t and not much damage was done. We stayed for a baptism which was lovely and an extra bonus was that there was food provided for us, yummy. This was just as well because by the time we arrived back into Gisborne and visited with two more pairs of missionaries to sort out some concerns they had and then visited with our ‘trying’ couple Elder and Sister Belliston (who are no longer ‘trying’ I should add). We didn’t get back to our motel until 10pm and were mighty hungry. So hot chocolate and off to bed.

 On Sunday we had a good chat with Marc before going to church then on our way back home to Hamilton. Only stopping on the way home for a picnic in the most beautiful gorge and also by the coast to look out on the tranquil sea. The long hours driving around the country gives me the opportunity to write in this blog. So it’s a good job that it’s typed and not hand written as it would be very scribbly.

We are really off to Gisborne this time

The Shower Curtain

We left for Gisborne a few hours later than planned on the Friday, about midday. The route we took passed the beautiful lakes in Rotorua. We would have bypassed Whakatane but we needed to give the Elders there their car RegO I think that what they call it. It’s a bit like displaying our old tax disc in the uk. But ours begins at the beginning of the month New Zealand could be any day of the month. You have to display it on that day not before and not after.  Although our poor missionaries were without their car for two day, shame, they had to ride their bikes. So by the time we reach Gisborne it was about 6pm. We were both very tired but we had to meet up with two Elders to buy a shower curtain!!!! The shower curtain they have is too short for their shower so we had to measure up and buy a longer size. I’m sorry but I just have to show you what they chose and how much fun they had and are going to have with it!!!!! But first we had to pick up the Elders from the chapel and while we were there we gave the Zone Leaders the post for their Zone and also met up with the sisters. So it was a nice catch up for all of us. We went back to the Elders flat to make sure the shower curtain was long enough and while we were there the Zone leaders arrived because we forgot to give them the butter knife they needed. Gosh we lead such an exciting life and to be honest we have a lot of fun and laughs with the missionaries.  So we got back to our motel about 8.30 another long day. But hey ho we can have a lie in tomorrow.

Uninvited Guests

Been a bit under the weather this week, so the weeks been a bit of a blur. The Marsdens were out for the first two days so the phones were quite busy with just me to answer them.  Elder Saunders was out of the office on Tuesday to check on a flat that was disgusting. We don’t really know how to get the message over to the missionaries to keep on top of the cleaning tasks. They just think it needs to be done on a Monday. But if they cleaned up after themselves each day then they would have more time to spend on more pleasurable thinks on their Pdays. Yet some missionaries, mainly sisters, do look after their flats. Yes it may be a little untidy but it’s the cleanliness we are concerned with. Dirty flats invite dirty visitors such as: Fleas, Cockroaches, Ants and flies. We provide chemicals to get rid of the uninvited guest but sometimes it gets out of hand and we have had to call in the pest controllers. That works but for how long, time will tell. Thankfully we keep on top of our uninvited guests and they usually stop at the doors.
Enough of my complaining let’s  get back to the happy thoughts. I did manage to get on top of everything I need to do in the office this week. Including a little bit of preparation for next weeks ‘transfer week’. I even started to organised all the hundreds of photos that have just been placed on my computer, some are already in folders but still need to be put into an ‘easy to find and get at’ folder. Plus I have hundreds of other peoples personal photos that I can just delete.
Elder Saunders tried to get on top off all his tasks but alas I don’t think he ever will because more task/problems occur daily. By the end of the week I was feeling more like my cheerful self so I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend. What did I hear you shout? “You’ll believe that when you see it. So what did we do this weekend? Read the next blog…………..

Cyclone Coming Our Way!

We are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast which is very difficult to do when you don’t have a TV and also no internet connection. So we are relying on friend to text us the situation. A cyclone is heading our way and we want to be back in Hamilton before it hits the coast that we are going to drive through tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to continue this blog next week!!!!!!!!

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day to Me! From all my children and my Grandchildren. Love you all so much.

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 Someone else who likes to take selfies with my phone.  Djahni and little Sophronia.

Gisborne Here We (do not) Come!

We had a very busy two days the end of the week, so I was not looking forward to another very busy weekend. Elder Saunders wanted to visit Gisborne  to sort out a couple of flats and take some supplies down. We were going to go through Rotorua and Whakatane and drop of more supplies. We had planned to stay in the flat in Whakatane, which we are now nicknaming as our holiday home, for one night. There have been no missionaries living there for nearly four months. We have cleaned it up spotlessly and were expecting a senior couple to move in soon. But their visas did not come through in time and they have now been reassigned to Canada. Saturday night we had planned to stay in Gisborne but when I phoned up to book a motel I was told that there was no availability and probably none anywhere in town. There was a surfing competition on that weekend and the place was crazy with a lot of people around. So we decided that we would stay in Whakatane for two nights. Now that will be a more restful weekend.  We tried calling the Branch President on Friday night hoping to meet up with him and his family but kept getting an engaged signal. So Saturday when we were giving the missionaries their second hand arm chairs (don’t tell the President) I double checked their number and I had dialled it wrong. So thankfully I contacted President Waihirere and arranged to meet them at lunch time. We spent a great afternoon eating, chatting, walking the beach and getting very wet from a rather fast and furious wave.

 

The best beef burger I've had in New Zealand

My New Lippy!

Knowing my love of chocolate Sister Moore and Sister Boligar gave me a present on Monday.
Chocolate lips balm!!!!

I will never leave home without it!

My challenge is to get one of the Elders to try it.

Hmm, will show you if I do.

Inspired Thoughts

Elder S. Gifford Neilson toured the Hamilton Mission for three days starting Monday 9^th March. These are the inspirational thoughts that the missionaries felt that they had learnt from their meeting.

Balance our lives.

Your wheel is beautiful and you don’t need to compare it.

Great missionary today, great father/mother, husband/wife, grandfather/grandmother tomorrow.

Marry the right person, at the right time, in the right place. NOT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are all broken, the atonement can heal us.
I learnt that I am broken and the Saviour can heal me through his Atonement.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us no matter how broken we are.
Remember always who we are and whose we are.
Understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to you and then follow it.
We are all heirs of a great inheritance.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
The Lord didn’t send us here to be average.
Stay in the boat! And always wear your life jacket.
Repentance is a gift.
The book of Mormon is not a history but is what’s to come.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple,
There is always hope for me,
I’m here for a reason, don’t wast a second.
We have two choices: Liberty/eternal life or captivity/death.
Missionary work is serious business.
Your mission is your time with the Saviour, it doesn’t have to end.
Follow the prompting of the spirit.
No failures in missionary work if we’re following the spirit.
IF no faith, miracles will not happen.
We are the future leaders of homes, the church and the community.
The opportunity of a lifetime has to be taken in the lifetime of the opportunity.
As the Saviour hastens his work, Satan hastens his influence.
There is a difference between believing Him and believing in Him.
Don’t dwell on the past, repent and move forward.
A lot of power in listening and pondering why you want to be here.
We are remarkably blessed to have President and Sister Rudd.

A Well Needed Inspirational Week

Week two of my precious granddaughter being in agonising pain. She was in hospital all last week but at the weekend my daughter took her home. Back to the hospital on Monday but this time they did an MRI and found out what was wrong with her. I found out on the Tuesday morning just as I was going into the Mission Conference Tour with Elder S Gifford Nielson. My granddaughter had just told me on FB or Skype but my son-in-law face timed me and I spoke to him for just a few mins as my meeting had already started. Sorry Abbie if you read this but I was really upset and when I sat in my seat I said to Elder Saunders I’m going to cry, I just want to be home with Abbie and help look after her. Now I may sound a bit selfish for sharing this but there is a good reason for doing so. Last week when I was messaging Abbie I told her that I was in tears and she said “Don’t cry Grandma I’ll be okay, I’m very brave.” Bless her. So this time I didn’t tell anyone until now. Anyway I was upset for only a few minutes when I pulled myself together and said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to give me the strength to snap out of this longing for home and concentrate on the calling I have been currently assigned to do, which is to care for about 250 young adults who also need tlc at times. Miraculously I was able to do this and although I still worried and still do worry I am not so consumed with the longing for home.

The conference was excellent it started at 9 and finished at 4 a long day but it was very uplifting and food for thought. There were many different themes but at the end of the conference we were asked to share a short sentences about what we had learnt. These lists have been recorded and we all will be given a copy. They are priceless little gems.

The tour actually started on Monday when four  Stakes/zones/areas met in Tauranga. Tuesday’s was in Hamilton with four different stakes/zones/areas met and the final day was on Wednesday in Redoubt which we attended. Although the basic instruction was similar the responses were slightly different which gave a total different feeling to the meeting. Both Elder Saunders and I enjoyed very much the two day experience.

For those of you who are interested I am going to include a list in my next bog of some of the inspirational things on our lists.

 

First Sacrament Talks

This wasn’t exactly how we planned to give our first talks in sacrament. This Sunday we had decided that we would go to the small Waitara Branch on our way home. We have become very friendly with a lovely couple the Cardalls who are only serving a short mission for 6 months in Waitara. So we wanted to share in their little branch. The sacrament meeting was first and had a lovely start with both the Elders giving talks then we had our intermediate hymn. Next the Branch President gave a few inspiring messages before announcing that they had very special visitors from the mission office who he would like to come up and bear their testimonies. Gulp! What! Actually I wasn’t at all nervous and shared how blessed I felt being in their little branch and also being on my mission in New Zealand. I shared my testimony of prayer and how my prayers are always answered. Maybe sometimes not in a way or how or when I had thought they would be answered and gave a personal experience. I also shared my testimony of tithing. Elder Saunders and I have always said we cannot afford NOT to pay our tithing. For those of you who don’t know we give at least one tenth of our earning to the church. This is to be distributed between the welfare needs not only within our church but worldwide, also for the building of chapels and Temples and other materials as needed. NOBODY gets any wages from this money!! People who diligently pay an honest tithe get many blessings. I can name loads I have received. But I wanted to share just one very special blessing that included my testimony of both prayer and tithing. Our daughter has been less active from our church for a few years. We didn’t love her any less but it broke our heart that she would not share in the blessings of being an active member and also live with us as a family for the eternities. So when she told us she had returned back to church and understood why she went inactive, we were elated. The joy we felt cannot be described. She told us that she bore her testimony in church a few weeks ago and has just started to pay her tithing again. It takes faith to give one tenth away to a church but this is not any church, it’s the Lord’s church. The day after her paying tithing again she received extra money in her bank. Our Daughter phoned up the people who gave it to her and was told it was owed to her. WOW! Once we have exercised our faith we receive the blessing. It felt so good to be able to share that personal experience with the members in Waitara. I have no idea who that message was for. I just know that I was inspired to give it.

Elder Saunders shared his experiences of being in a small branch and that when we are righteously working together many wonderful things can happen.

The Branch president said after our brief talks that as we gave our inspirational testimonies that he hoped the members there would act upon those promptings to improve in their lives. Sadly we were unable to stay for the rest of the meetings as we wanted to get back to Hamilton in time to go to the Visitors Centre at 6pm to listen to Elder Neilson’s Fireside. Tomorrow he starts the mission tour in Tauranga, then Tuesday in Hamilton and Wednesday in Redoubt. We are hoping to go to the last two.

What a great week is ahead of us! JJ

Taranaki Travels

 

Elder Saunders announced that we needed to go to Taranaki the weekend to replace a fridge/freezer.  On Friday we left the office a little later than planned so didn’t leave Hamilton until gone 5 arriving in New Plymouth, Taramaki about 8.15pm. We stayed in a motel that had unlimited wifi access so Saturday morning we took advantage of that and skyped our son Marc. We did try others but no-one answered L. We travelled another hour southward to Hawera to deliver the fridge/freezer to Elders Butler and Conoy. Then went to the chapel to meet Sister Thalman and Sister Chudleigh and were doubly blessed by Sister Fisher and Sister Taylor being there. They persuade my husband to stay for the baptism an hour later, I needed no persuading. The sisters mentioned that they hadn’t got some of the supplies they asked for which we are sure Elder Saunders sent down, so we went to the local Wharehouse store and picked up some bargains for them. This was the second baptism service we have been to since being in New Zealand and what a treasured blessing this will always be. The talks by Elder Napier and Elder Waldron were wonderful so natural and from the heart. Then Sister Thalman and Sister Chudleigh sang. I was not the only one moved to tears by their beautiful voices. The baptism was that of Tom and Stella at least I think that was their names. They have a cute little toddler and a cheeky little 7 year old who wants to be baptised in September when she’s 8. Sister Thalman met Tom at a gypsy market about two months ago and introduced him to the elders and they have just accepted all they have been taught. It is so wonderful to see a lovely couple who want to dedicate their lives to leaning about and living the gospel principles so that they can return home to their Heavenly Father with their family. When we arrived back to our car we had a note from two sisters who were hoping to stay for the baptism but their investigators didn’t turn up so like obedient missionaries they didn’t stay but went back to work. We decided to give them a visit on our way back to New Plymouth, again they were still waiting for supplies asked for about 3 months ago. So off we went and bought two new mops, now they are happy. On our way home we found a delicious little chippy which we ate at our motel. Before we went to bed we had a visit from the Zone leaders, Elders Christensen and Romney who pick up the stationary they ordered. Quite a long and busy day.

 Sister Taylor and Sister Fisher munchings away on pineapple.




Sister McFlynn and Sister  Penales are renamed   
                     The Mop Sisters!

      Sister Thalman and Sister Chudleigh

Another week at the office!

It has been a very busy week trying to catch up with inputting all the baptismal records I’ve left because of our special visit from Elder Bednar. Then I had to chase up on a few  things but thankfully all done and they will just have their final check through on Monday. If there is anything wrong then I will have to contact Global Service centre in Salt Lake to amend them. I can then start work on the next newsletter for the mission. I like doing that it’s fun and especially nice to look at the baptism photos. I’ve also made a couple of visits to the visitor centre this week. First with Elder Saunders to pick up a couple of Hindi Book of Mormon so that Elder Saunders could deliver them to missionaries in Tauranga on Wednesday. Then on Thursday I first went to the distribution centre which is underneath the Vistors Centre and managed to exchange  two Tongan church magazines, the Liahona, for Samoan ones. The past two months we have been issued with the Liahona in place of the Ensign. There have been a few complaints including mine so from next month we are going back to the Ensign. Yippee But I managed to also swap the 12 Liahonas for 12 Ensigns so that I could at least give them to the senior couples in the mission. Also while I was there, there just happened to be a missionary from Bournemouth Ward, England visiting the Temple. Elder Kenchington is in the MTC (Missionary Training Centre) in Auckland and they always go to the Temple the Thursday before they leave for their mission areas.  So a coincidence that I was there you may be thinking? Hmm!
I must say that I am or was looking forward to a quiet weekend at home catching up on reading, shopping and maybe a little housework But that was not to happen/. See my next blog.

Sleeping Seal

We slowed down so we would not wake this sleeping seal. The picture is a bit shaky to start with but what do you expect when you are in a boat.

How Whakatane Got Its Name

Watch out for the Dolphins

An active Volcanic Island- White Island

White Island

We were to arrive at the booking office by 10.15 in the morning so we had a leisurely start to the day. We boarded about 10.35 and chose seats at the back of the boat, downstairs and outside. We found out later that they were the best seats if you felt motion sickness and we had a few of those joining us during the trip. Our crossing over to the Island was 27 nautical miles and took around 1½ hours. We went very quick and fast and had a lot of spray from the front of the boat, but we did slow down a few times. The first was to see a few dolphins jumping over the waves then passing beside our boat. The next lot of dolphins I missed L. But I certainly saw the seal sleeping in the middle of the Bay of Plenty. Hopefully I will be able to post a few videos of our trip. If not then it will be still photos.

We went from our boat in a 16 man dingy over to the island, it only took a few minutes and according to the Skipper it was perfect landing conditions. The previous day it was apparently very difficult to land. We then had a 2 hour tour of the island. It wasn’t a very long walk but was still a bit tiring for us both. It was an unique and exhilarating experience considering it was an active Volcano and regularly has slight tremors. It consistently has steam coming from the multiply outlets which can we seen from the main land. Photos of which I have already posted. It is a mainly sulphur volcano which can we seen everywhere and there were lots of little small to medium bubble paddy puddles. The smell was awful and if we didn’t wear our masks we would have choked. There used to be a sulphur mine on the island but one day a sailor at sea noticed that the landscape of the island had changed. He quickly went back to the main land and raised the alarm and a rescue was organized. The volcano had erupted and buried all the miners. It took 8 days from when the disaster had happen until the rescue party arrived on the island and only one survivor was found. All that is left is the relicts lying around the mine. There is still seismic equipment on the island, powered by solar panels, measuring any activity, thankfully we did not feel any activities during our visit but were told to look at their website to see what really did happen!!!!!!! Before leaving we went around the island to see the Gannets nesting. There were hundreds and we saw few flying around catching fish from the sea.

 We travelled more slowly back to the main land and sadly didn’t see any sea life. What an adventure day we had. Family I hope you noticed that we did not pre warn you of our visit to the active Volcanic Island. Some of you would have worried others would have been counting our insurance money!

                                      PHOTOS AND VIDEO TO FOLLOW!

 

Whakatane Final Clean Up

We are hopefully getting a senior couple to move into the flat in Whakatane this week. Like us they are waiting for their visa but when I go into the office on Monday I’m hoping they are on their way. We purchased a couple of easy chairs in Hamilton and a kitchen table and chairs in Tauranga which we collected on our way down to Whakatane on Wednesday evening. We didn’t arrive until nearly 9.30 but Elder Hillier and Elder Fisi’italia helped Elder Saunders put the furniture into the flat. The next morning we cleaned up a little and cleaned a few of the windows. We then went shopping for a proper window squeeqy before meeting up with Elder and Sister Hawkins for dinner. (We also booked our places for a tour of White Island on Friday, but more on that in our next blog.) We did a little window shopping for a new leather sofa for the Temple Visitors Centre in Hamilton, what fun.
The place that the Hawkins had found for dinner was a private fishing club but open to the public. So as you can imagine it was a bit pricey but it was worth it. I took the chance and ordered a Thai chicken curry and it was delicious. Now what do you think Elder Saunders ordered? I’m not going say as those of you who actually do read and respond to me privately can answer. We had a lovely time with the Hawkins who are such a special couple. 

 

Elder Bednar Visit part 2

First Sister Robbins spoke followed by her husband Elder Robbins. Then Sister Bednar spoke and now for the moment we were all waiting for Elder Bednar. Wow it was amazing. He didn’t give a two hour lecture but lead a 2 hour discussion. Before the conference we were all asked to read 3 of his recent talks and his first question was “what did you get from reading the talks.” He randomly selected missionaries to share their thoughts and feelings. It was amazing how he invited the Holy Spirit to teach us all during that meeting. Each of the missionary’s answers were so personal and although they admitted that they were very nervous they gave honest answers to the questions he then asked them. I will list the talks if you want to read them yourselves. 1. Converted unto the Lord.  will have to search the others out

We were asked to be agents not objects. For instance when we pray for something we must take action for that prayer to be answered. Other areas in our lives when we want something to happen again we must take action and not expect things to just happen. I just loved how he allowed the missionaries to learn something new as he was talking to them. I also think that most of the people in that meeting felt inspired and uplifted by how Elder Bednar lead the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.  It was amazing like I said before.

 

 

Elder Bednar’s Visit part 1

I’m impressed that I have had complaints that I have not posted enough lately. Well I have them ready to post but just not got around to it. As you can imagine it has been very busy in the office since transfers and we only had just over a weeks’ notice that Elder Bednar would be visiting us. It was actually a two mission visit but because it was hosted in Reboubt Chapel which is in our mission we had the responsibility to sort out the seating and car parking. Elder Saunders was responsible for the car parking and with the help of Elder Marsden, Elder Witts and other Senior Elders they did a fantastic job and it went very smoothly. Now the inside was up to me. President Rudd had told me how he wanted the stand organised plus we had to separate Hamilton and Auckland missionaries with the MTC missionaries on the front two rows I put it all down on paper and printed out the reserved seat names and that was it all organised. Other senior couple checked the missionaries at the doors. I know that sounds strange but we had to make sure that all the missionaries were smart and wearing the name badges because they were all going to shake hands with Elder Bednar. Sister Marsden, Sister Witts and I directed them to their seats.

Elder Bednar arrived on time to the MTC but the dedication of the new area at the MTC and the lunch took them over time by 30 minutes. The hand shaking organisation/flow I went over in my head many many times and I finally decided the best way to do it. Then Elder Marsden and Elder Saunders took over so I though “all well anything can happen now” and it did but not in the way we expected. It did not go ahead because of the time factor. Do you know how long it would take to shake nearly 600 missionaries hands? Well I for one was eager to know. Maybe next time!

                                                                      Auckland             and              Hamilton Missions

 

Spiritual and Physical Highs

Coming soon our visit with Elder David Bednar and also our trip to a volcanic Island, not to be missed!!

Transfer Wk No. 3 End

Thursday was transfer day and although it was lovely I was a bit stressed with losing an important letter and a parcel. I took all the letters, parcels and supplies to the chapel at Higgins Road but returned to the office to double check for the missing ones. On my back to the chapel I was very tearful and prayed that the items may be found. The letter belonged to Elder Nelson and as soon as I arrived back at the chapel I asked Elder Nelson to check the boot of his car again. No letter but the parcel was there one of my worries over. It was announced at transfers for everyone to recheck their post for Elder Nelson’s letter and to let Sister Saunders know it they find it. Well no one came forward so I had a bit of a restless night worrying about it. When the AP’s arrive at the office on Friday morning I told them I was so worried about the missing letter and Elder Christy said “Did you not get the message I sent to Elder Saunders last night. It was found in Rotorua’s mail”. Gulp! I quickly phoned up Elder Nelson who did not know it had been found. We were all relieved. And a major thank you was said to our Heavenly Father for answering ours prayers so quickly.

Transfer Wk No. 3 Continued

On Wednesday we welcomed the next group of missionaries from the MTC and what a special group they are. After meeting them at the orientation meeting at the office we met then again at dinner at the Presidents house. We always have the pleasure of listening to their testimonies before bearing our own. Now for a brief summary of Elder Saunders day.

Up at 5.30, can’t be late

Cos the new missionaries they can’t wait.
At the MTC, they are waiting for me, it is now 7.53!
We drive from Auckland down to Hamilton.
I’m glad the speed limit is a ton.

 At the mission office I give them the drill,

To clean their flats and then do the Lords Will.
I warn about fleas, cockroaches and the ants,
You spray your flat, all your clothes including your pants.
Untidy flats, NO, always clean up your mess.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
 A special bread roll for me from Sister Pappel,
Plum, apple and cake, now I’m pretty full.

I drive the Newbies up to Presidents home

Then go back to my house all alone.
 In my garage I sort the needed supplies into Zones
I have most of my list on my phone.

I drive back to the mission President’s home

Where I wait for my wife so I’m no longer alone.
  Sister Pappel ‘s dinner we all eat
Before into the lounge, we take our seat.
Testimonies are shared by everyone.
Then by 8.30 we are all done
 
I drive the missionaries back to the motel
Now its home sweet home by 9.30, that swell.

Transfer Week Number 3

What another amazing transfer week we have had. We said goodbye to our two Assistant to the President (APS), on Tuesday. Elder Moore was an AP for 6 months so was our first AP. He was (is) lovely, such a kind gentle young man. Elder Jenson was his companion for the last 6 weeks. They both had the responsibility of travelling around the mission for the last 6 weeks. Supporting and encouraging our missionaries out in the field. Elder Hammar who was Elder Moore’s complain as an AP was released this week and for his last few transfers he will serve in Gisborne. A place that we love to visit. So we have two new AP’s, Elder Saville was called last transfer and Elder Christy this transfer. I wonder if the office will ever be the same without Elder’s Moore and Hammar, I know it won’t be? Now with Elder Christy and Saville there, they will have a lot of fun with Elder Saunders. I can feel a few good stories over the next few months.

Glow worms part 2

I expect none of you have slept the last few days waiting to hear if we went to the glow worm caves or not. Well we did go. IT was dark by the time we reached the Natural Bridge. So it was very dark by the time we went inside the natural bridge. This time we did not go through and around the outside and back to the car because it would have been too dark and we would probably have lost our way. So we just went inside to where it was the darkest and then back out again. There were hundreds of bright glow worms compared to thousands that would be in the Waitomo caves. But it was still a good free experience.