The glowworms of Waitomo Caves

Top image: photo courtesy Karora – wikimedia.org

Before we entered the cave, south of Auckland, our guide informed us to remain silent. Any noise we made, would frighten the glowworms. This silence, added to the magic of the boat tour.

Sign near the entrance, Waitomo Caves. Photo courtesy: A. Arunita – wikimedia.org

The caves were warmer inside than out. The elegance of the stalactites dripped the passage of time in a world within a world. Our boat journeyed silently along the caved waterway that was lit like a night sky from the glowworms dropping their sticky fishing nets. Soundlessly, the creatures filled one ceiling after another with their fairy-tale charm. I gaped mesmerized.