Josh got a job and I started an intensive teacher training course, so the last couple of weeks have been insanely busy. We're very early to bed, early to rise these days--and sometimes late to bed, early to rise. Luckily that didn't keep us from running off and making our first anniversary a memorable one. It's traditional to give paper, but black water rafting seemed like a more exciting alternative. Plus, we got to wear these awesome outfits.
It turns out the company we booked through had one of the less intense excursions, so it was a nice, easy intro to cave exploration. I learned to abseil and I didn't die! Sitting in the dark with glowworms felt like sticking your head straight up into space to hang out with the stars. Except, you know, underground. Rafting was so much fun! Surprisingly, the only scary part was climbing back up the cliff to get out of the cave system--about midway up I wasn't sure where to find the next hold and hung there, frozen on the cliff face, imagining all the dramatic ways I might have to be rescued. Then I reached a moment in my panic when the only thing worse than moving became staying put, and I forced my way up. Naturally, Josh took the climb like a champion, didn't hesitate for a second, and popped his head over the edge in like, 3 minutes. We all have our talents.
Now that we're experienced spelunkers, we can't wait to try the Black Abyss next! I hear you have to jump down a small waterfall, which sounds mildly terrifying.
Here's a shot of our group underground:
Here's a shot of our group underground:
We had no idea how tired we were until we stopped moving and exhaustion whacked us over the head. We were so grateful to have a shower and a bed nearby. Even better because what we rolled up to turned out to be the most beautiful hotel; it was like stepping straight into a glamorous 1920s evening for which (being covered in mud) we were seriously under dressed. Thankfully this is New Zealand, where at its heart, fancy is just a plug-in fountain and some extra forks next to your napkin with a cartoon trout on it. A middle aged saloon girl, some cowboys, and a unicorn passed by us during dinner. We followed them into a costume party where there was blaring music, but only three people holding down a pretty bare dance floor. It was charmingly lame. (Is that a thing? Well, we loved it.) We crashed for a few songs and the party just accepted us.
This hotel is absolutely haunted by the way. I don't even need to google it. It's straight out of a Stephen King novel. For some reason I find that hard not to love about it.
In the morning we went hiking through the woods with the Year 1 bottle from our wedding. We wound up dragging it up into a cave on our way, which is why there's mud all over my pants. It was worth it.
We had a great time reading everyone's messages, thanks guys! It added a nice sense of occasion to the day. Here are a few of our favorites.
Now I'm really craving some of that flavored water. And all that awesome company! Lots of love to all of our loves out there in the world. We miss you guys!