Exploring New Zealand - Waitamo Caves

My first adventure out of Auckland was with a beautiful bunch of girls from church; 9 of us headed down to a small town about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive away called Te Kuiti - apparently famous as the sheep shearing capital of New Zealand!

Although slightly disorientating going from Autumn in the UK to Spring in New Zealand without a dark, cold winter in between, the first signs of a new season are still exhilarating. Freshly minted daffodils nod their bell-yellow heads and fleecy lambs caper in buttery sunshine as a warm Spring breeze ruffles the soft new leaves of budding trees.

We visit Waitamo Caves, a famous riddle of tunnels and chambers carved beneath the unsuspecting landscape by an ancient torrent of rushing water. As we enter the narrow passageway our sun-blinded eyes adjust to the soft dark, the close creamy walls opening up to crystal Cathedrals hung with chandeliers of pearly stalactites, the pillars of stalagmites rising regally from the chamber floor. The limestone sings with the sound of the sea, echoes of ocean waves rolling in from the deep as immobile fossils gleam in the torchlight, the dripping of centuries clothing figures and faces hunched in the chalky walls.

After descending into the bowels of the caves we board a fat, graceful boat beneath the glow of a lonely electric bulb, the black oily waters gleaming dully as we glide downstream. When we round the corner the light fades into silence; the thick, glutinous dark coating the cavern as we slide slick and silent in the river's arms.

Suddenly, the sky bursts above us; sapphire stars glazing the roof in the throbbing forms of glow worms, brilliant diamonds forming icy galaxies across the pseudo-night sky. One of the world's biggest concentrations of glow-worms, the bio-luminescent creatures attract not only their insect prey but star-gazing humans as well to marvel at their beautiful mimicry of the universe's constellations.

After admiring our fill, the boat cuts through the shimmering galaxies reflected in the soft inky waters and we emerge into fresh, lemony sunshine, leaving the crystal blue stars to their beguiling.

The World Has Come to Play

It would be impossible to write about this country without mentioning a certain world sporting event happening right now in New Zealand. As much as it seems strange to me surrounded by the constant excitement and euphoria, I'm guessing that some of you might not know that the Rugby World Cup is happening here, in full swing and flourishing.

For the hospitable Kiwi's, it is a chance to revel in hosting the rugby playing nations of the world and for others an opportunity to boast in their true heritage and origins. Never has patriotism been so apparent, the full flavours of different countries showing themselves in proudly flown car flags, painted faces, and when it comes to the game, fiercely declared loyalties.

Around our office in Otahuhu, the open and expressive natures of the Samoan, Tongan and other pacific island people demonstrates itself in a cacophony of colours, with cars trailing audaciously draped flags and shops coated in balloons and dancing streamers.

On the opening night of the world cup some of us go down to The Viaduct, central Auckland's sail stuffed harbour. We watch as traditional Waka's (the boats the Maori people used to reach New Zealand) glide past the watching crowd, the proud red vessels slicing through the calm harbour, their stony faced occupants striking the soft silken waters with swift and meticulous strokes.

After several other events, including a mass Haka (the traditional challenge of the Maori people, adopted by the New Zealand All Blacks team before the start of every game), the long anticipated fireworks display blooms in the night sky in a mass of golden roses, pink azaleas, and sapphire daises falling with a sound like silver.

As the last star fades away, the roar of the crowd declares their welcome to the world as it comes to play.

An exciting first week!

The sea sparkles, stretched taut like a shimmering silver blue cloth, the edges creasing against green land and frothing on black rocks. The plane swoops and circles over cars crawling like ants on ram-rod straight roads, the city of Auckland congealed around ocean bays and lagoons, it's suburbs scattered across the horizon as we land.

The rhythmic clunks of the baggage carousel gently and unhurriedly deliver our long-since parted from belongings. It takes a second turn on the belt before I remember what my bags look like and hoik the 30kgs which should prepare me for a year of NZ summer, autumn, winter and spring.

I'm met on the other side by Sarah who transferred from CAP UK earlier this year and she takes me straight to the office of CAP NZ to meet the team. My new desk is decorated with balloons and a glimmering golden welcome message smiles up at me across the keyboard. After a tour, history lesson, acclimatisation period and meet & greet session we head out for a bite to eat, before I let my tired body sleep a full twelve hours of uncramped, painless oblivion.

Thursday morning is an exciting day as we celebrate reaching 1,000 lifechangers - that's one thousand passionate & generous New Zealanders who are committed to supporting the life changing work of CAP through a regular donation. How exciting!

I spend the week doing work similar to what I did at CAP UK, but also quite different – this time calling churches to see if they are interested in training in the money management course CAP Money. Exciting and exhilarating, I love having these conversations with amazing church pastors who are so passionate about serving and loving their communities!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Before we leave for New Zealand we spend the day at CAP head office in Bradford which lends a huge dollop of extra excitement to the trip as it has been a month since I last saw everyone. They pray for us in the morning and we spend the day helping out in Partnership which involves unloading the van from the CAP Money Glasgow event they held at the weekend and a large delivery of Nevertheless'. After hugs all round and face ache from smiling so much Jennie & Matt Sanderson drive Chris and I to the airport. Chris is going to Australia to do the same thing as me and we are lucky enough to travel to Dubai together before we catch different flights to our respective countries.

After an 8 hour flight where I spend most of it experimenting with seats specifically designed to dislocate at least several bones as I try find a pain-free way of sleeping we arrive in to Dubai in the early morning to a temperature of 30C. The liquid horizon shimmers in the heat and the air blows like an industrial hairdryer the minute we step onto the tarmac. After a 3 hour wait my flight to Auckland via Brisbane leaves, crossing desserts rippled and scarred by mountain ranges before launching across the dark ocean, the sunset shooting burnt orange as we head ever east and towards Australia.

Lakes of fog swirl within the mountain folded valleys and the sea glints dully amongst the rich green swamps as we approach Brisbane 11 hours later. Palaces of cloud built in swathes of dove grey and flamingo pink dominate the horizon, pierced by soft buttercup rays as the sun rises like a shining golden heart.

A quick disembark and re-embark sees us headed on the final leg of this endless journey to Auckland. My sense of time became dislocated several sleepless hours and a sunrise ago but I enjoy my second breakfast of the day and the captain announces that the Scottish Rugby Team is sharing the journey with us on their way to the Rugby World Cup.

The flight information tells me that we are 0.29 minutes and 186 miles from our destination. I feel time-warped, my vision narrowed to a small porthole filled with a taut silver sliver of an airplane wing and the soft landscape of cotton clouds. Looking back at the interminable journey and with my final destination fast approaching I suddenly feel a long, long way from home.

New Land of Zeal

Someone once said that "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with one step." Well if that's the case then 12 steps should be what's needed to begin this next adventure!

On Monday 5th of September I will be moving to Auckland, New Zealand (12,000 miles away!) to begin a second year of volunteering for Christians Against Poverty as they seek to bring a hope and solution to all those in debt and poverty.

I will be joining a newer, smaller team (CAP was only started in NZ 3 years ago) continuing to work in the Partnership department side of things but most likely getting involved in a lot of other stuff as well.

Keep checking the blog, I'll endeavor to keep you all updated about life in this New Land of Zeal!

Meanwhile I think I'll take Dr. Seuss' advice:

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!"