We went to our first glow worm caves today.
To get there, we went away from the coast into the hills.
We started with a walk up to the ridge. The trail was steeper than I anticipated.
Then Anita went into the free cave. I chose not to, so she took the water shoes and both headlamps. She says there was a lot of scrambling and no guidance inside the cave. However, when alone and with no light, the bioluminescence was apparent and it was amazing.
Together we went on a tour at Waipu Caves Farm Park of the Milky Way Cave. It was magical, when the lights were out.
The worms are the larva stage of an insect the looks a bit like a dragonfly. The bioluminescence is produced in the excrement. The larva drop silk threads covered in mucus to trap midges. They trap, eat, digest and excrete. Since it has to be dark to see the bioluminescence, the whole process is invisible to visitors and tourists guides alike.
Regardless, the experience was astounding, and I was grateful for the work the owners did to make it easy for visitors.
Juliette Knits 