May 15, 2007 Manukau, New Zealand

Date:  Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Manukau (Auckland), New Zealand

The weather today was “mostly fine” once again.  A few dark clouds but it finally broke up and was broken clouds and sunshine.

 

We started out today in Rotorua and drove to Auckland by way of the Waitomo caves.  On the way to the caves we were going across one of the smaller but more direct roads when we came to a road closed sign.  After a short conversation with a couple of guys at an auto repair shop close by we found out that the detour around was relatively short.  Apparently they are replacing a bridge close to a power dam.  The detour made for an interesting addition to the days drive.  It was single lane for most of it and overlooked the dam and some very high vertical cliffs along the river.  Everyone found their way and stopped at varying times at the caves.

 

The boat trip through the cave and the glow worms in the dark was fantastic to see once again.  Looking up from the boat there are thousands of lights from the glow worms.  Almost like little white LED’s but yet with a subtle movement and a three dimensional look.  The guide had instructed everyone to be quiet and no flash.  It makes for a very moving sort of experience.

 

We arrived at the Manukau Top 10 Campground at the same time as Bob and Esther.  They were a welcome site to us as we were to them.  We had been thinking of them a lot and praying for them during their absence and ordeal and it was hugs and kisses all around.  It’s amazing how quickly you connect and have empathy for someone after only knowing them a few days and then being apart and knowing what they must be going through.

 

Some of the stories they told of the kindness of people along the way reinforced what we have learned about the New Zealand people.  They are really nice people.  At a restaurant Bob had asked if he could get some carry-out for Esther and explained the situation.  The owner said no problem and had a couple of burly guys come out and carry her into the restaurant.  I’m sure that you would never see that happen in the United States.  It probably would have generated a few lawsuits of some type.

 

Donna, our Global Village coordinator here in Auckland, greeted Bob and Esther at the airport and had a wheel chair for Esther.  At the campground we wheeled Esther out the drive of the campground and into the Happy Day Buffet right next door where we feasted once again.

 

It was another great day in New Zealand.