After "The Show" this afternoon we sent the kids back to the boat for "quiet time" naps and school and things and Courage and I headed out on the motorcycle. This is a gorgeous and awesome cliff/rock island!! We hiked to two caves, the first one you walk through coming out on the ocean where you can walk on the rock (not coral) reef and tide pools then drop into a large pool where you can snorkel into part of the cave. Then we went to a second cave that has massive stalactites and stalagmites, beautiful colorful mineral deposits, fossils of coral in the rocks and is open to the ocean on the far side (but not a swimming pool). Then we went to the Limu Pools where it's semi-shallow and calm, crystal clear water from all the limestone around. This is what they make resort pools to mimic with rocks all around, clear blue water, gentle waves, beach entry, etc. Then we went to the chasm, a large crack between two rocks that's filled with water. It's like a pool with huge rock walls on either side. From shore, you couldn't see to the ocean, but I think if you swim to the end of the pool, eventually you see it. We skipped walking to the arches, feeling like we ought to be getting home. We stopped at a gas station mini-mart type thing and she was selling watermelons from her home garden, small to medium size, but only $3 - $5!!! So we got a few and headed home!! What a wonderful tour!
The teens brought the kids to shore to play when they picked us up at the wharf, the teens went out exploring, the kids swam by the wharf for about an hour and played bubbles when on land, and Courage went home to "put on dinner" (aka quiet time).
We had a quick preview, definitely going back. They were out of rental cars on the island, probably due to NZ Army and Navy being here for the 40 years of Independence celebration. We think they are all leaving Monday, so hope to rent a car for a day or two and take the whole family spelunking and snorkeling early next week. They will LOVE it! Looks like geology will be on the homeschool agenda this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment