Friday, July 06, 2012
Crysta Parkinson @ Well Worn Suitcase
Written by Justin, as I am not a caver, and chose to stay in the car with a copy of The Hunger Games...
The morning brought us to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a system of caves first explored a hundred years ago. I was pleased to note that they have now paved the floor inside the caves. Wonderful formations of lime transform the smooth stone surfaces into amazing shapes including a full size elephant. Walking down the steel stairs into the lower caverns felt like descending into the Moria.
The cathedral was huge and amazing. The sound was incredible and you could clearly see why it has been used for many musical events.
When we got down to the river level, 13m below the entrance, all of the kids found their quiet as we glided along the dark tunnels. The guide explained how the glow worms were the pupa stage of an insect with a bio luminescent lure and fifty sticky thread snares. The interesting description didn't detract from the magical beauty of hundreds of soft blue flowing stars in the pitch black of an underground night sky.
Maia wanted to drag her hand through the water, until she heard about the size of the eels swimming in it.
We had lunch in Te Kuite, then went on to Taupo, where we did a drive by of the largest lake in New Zealand. From there we went up the road a short bit to Huka Falls, where we got out of the car and poked around for a bit. Wow! The falls were not very tall, but they were impressive in a way you have to feel to truly understand. I think we were all pretty amazed at the volume and power of the water rushing beneath us.
The morning brought us to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a system of caves first explored a hundred years ago. I was pleased to note that they have now paved the floor inside the caves. Wonderful formations of lime transform the smooth stone surfaces into amazing shapes including a full size elephant. Walking down the steel stairs into the lower caverns felt like descending into the Moria.
The cathedral was huge and amazing. The sound was incredible and you could clearly see why it has been used for many musical events.
When we got down to the river level, 13m below the entrance, all of the kids found their quiet as we glided along the dark tunnels. The guide explained how the glow worms were the pupa stage of an insect with a bio luminescent lure and fifty sticky thread snares. The interesting description didn't detract from the magical beauty of hundreds of soft blue flowing stars in the pitch black of an underground night sky.
Maia wanted to drag her hand through the water, until she heard about the size of the eels swimming in it.
We had lunch in Te Kuite, then went on to Taupo, where we did a drive by of the largest lake in New Zealand. From there we went up the road a short bit to Huka Falls, where we got out of the car and poked around for a bit. Wow! The falls were not very tall, but they were impressive in a way you have to feel to truly understand. I think we were all pretty amazed at the volume and power of the water rushing beneath us.
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