I had a difficult time picking one place to write about for my final post because there were so many places that I wanted to write about. After some thought, I decided to write about the Glowworm Caves located in Waitomo, New Zealand:
The caves were formed on an earthquake fault, meaning the rain water that creates the limestone crystals on the walls enters easier. As a result, almost every corner of the roof and walls is covered with sparkling forms in pale brown, pink and white. Most of the ceiling has been decorated with the dripping water and glowworms. The caves were first explored in 1887 by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau along with an English surveyor Fred Mace. Local Maori people knew that the cave was there, but no one had ever explored them until Fred and Tane went to look into the caves. In 1889 Tane Tinorau opened the cave to tourists. Visitor numbers soared and Chief Tane and his wife Huti guided groups through the cave for a small price. In 1906 the government took over the administration of the cave. In 1989 the land and the cave was given back to the descendants of the original owners. Many staff employed at the caves today are descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife Huti (source).
The Glowworm Caves look simply breath-taking in photos so I can only imagine how amazing they would look in person. When I first heard about the caves, I was a little reluctant about whether I would be interested in visiting because I am not a big fan of insects of any kind but after seeing the pictures, I was simply blown away. I decided that the Glowworm Caves was definitely one of those places that I just have to visit in the future. My traveling adventures simply would not be complete if I did not take experience the boat ride through the awe-inspiring Glowworm Caves. This is another place that it would be nice to visit with someone else. The setting and atmosphere just seems as though it is one of those places that would be more enjoyable if I had company.
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