Finally arrived in Waitomo after Glenn took a wrong turn somewhere and we ended up driving for an additional 60km. We then couldn't find the motel where we were to spend the night and by then our petrol was dangerously low.

Glenn had scheduled a cavern abseiling experience for himself and Joanna and a glow worm cave walk for Jo and I. We stopped at the site where we were to meet up with our guides and after waiting for more than half an hour past the meeting time, they eventually showed. The cave walk was informative and very picturesque and we both enjoyed it. We were pleasantly surprised when we exited the caves to see more glow worms just outside the entrance, than we did inside! Because of the fact that it was still light outside when we entered the caves, we didn't see them initially. Just such a pity we didn't have the right photographic equipment to really capture them on film (so as to speak).

Afterwards (read 11pm) we all piled into the car and went looking for a garage and the motel. We succeeded in finding both and barely got to the hotel reception to check in before it closed for the night.

Christmas dinner was cold roast chicken, cheese and crisps, washed down with some white wine - excellent!