Glow worm adventure

Prior to coming to New Zealand, I signed up for the New Zealand Groupon, hoping to find good deals on food. No specials came within our price range but, after I had booked and paid for our three special New Zealand experiences, (Hole in the Rock, Ninety Mile Beach tour and Auckland Hop on, Hop off trip) I got an e mail about a glow worm kayak trip up a river for sixty five New Zealand dollars instead of a hundred so I bought two vouchers. They were not valid until after the 12th January so we booked our slot for the 14th. By this time we were no longer in adventure-explore mode but rather family mode so it was a bit out of our comfort zone to travel half an hour and think of paddling upstream. The last time we had attempted kayaking six years ago on the Able Tasman, we battled to keep up with younger members of the group and now we were both six years older. Moreover the day started with rain pouring down and more forecast for the evening.
It was with a certain amount of trepidation, therefore, that we got in the car, armed with rain jackets, warm clothes and my son's go-pro, and made our way to Lake District Adventures in Horahora Rd.

We were kitted out with essential gear and joined the other couple in our group.

It was just before seven when we got into the kayaks.

We paid for extra back supports (the black things strapped on)

With the go-pro attached to the top of my head, it was difficult to take photos.

The current wasn't as strong as we had feared and the journey up stream was very pleasant.  At the half way point we got out to stretch our legs and wait for dark. Our guide, Lofty, produced a hot fruity spicy drink and some nibbles. He invited us to take a leak in the trees but I wan't feeling inclined to, especially after he had pointed out a possum.

While we waited he told us some very interesting things about glow worms. They are not worms but the maggots of  a winged flying insect with thin wings like a dragon fly but smaller. Their bio-luminescence is designed to attract insects which are their prey. He also pointed out native New Zealand trees and told us interesting facts about them.

When it was sufficiently dark, we drifted downstream through the gorge which was well populated with glow worms.  We were told to keep down the noise because it could disturb the insects. (In caves it is just the opposite and visitors are encouraged to make a noise because food is scarce in the back areas of caves and noise might mean extra prey coming in.)  We drifted in near silence by moonlight. It was an awesome experience.
It was too dark for the go-pro but I have these photos with kind permission from Lake District Adventures.

We got back to base after ten and it was close to half past eleven by the time we got back to Hamilton. Despite our apprehensions, it was another wonderful adventure and another illustration of God's wonderful creation.

This was our last adventure in New Zealand before we had to say good bye, pack up everything and undertake the long journey back home. It is the last post for this trip. I have another blog which I have neglected for a while. It is called Coffee in the Rain and is more spiritual and sometimes literary in nature. If any of my blog followers would like to follow that one, please let me know.