After a restful night at Auckland, it was finally time for us to embark on our adventure. Driving southwards, our destination was the famous Waitomo Glow-worm Cave - almost certain to be the first destination of any visitor coming to North Island due to its proximity to Auckland. The drive in New Zealand's countryside was a program in itself as there was never a boring sight in the immerse and beautiful landscape of rolling hills and green plains.
Upon reaching the cave, we signed up for a guided group tour. Our expert tour guide was an atheletic lady who seemed to be native to the land. She provided us with informative commentary on the cave's historical and geological significance as we walked slowly down into the bowels of the earth. Majestic and ornate limestone formations lined the cave's ceilings - sculpted by Nature's own patient hands. As I admired the otherworldly beauty of the Waitomo Cave, I marvelled at how distant I am from the office life back home.
Soon, we came to a night-black underground river known as the Waitomo River. We carefully got onto a paddle boat and ventured deeper into the cave on water. The gentle rocking motion of the boat and the pitch darkness made me restful and only sheer curiosity kept me from closing my eyes.
Suddenly, an explosion of starry sky greeted us. There were thousands of tiny glow-worms on the top of the cave creating a myriad of living blue lights. These "stars" don't actually twinkle, but as we sail down the river, the shifting curves of the dome above us made them seem like they do. The entire experience was a vision of us floating through Milky Way.
The Waitomo Caves mark the first of many wonders which we will visit in New Zealand but it's ethereal beauty was unlike any other. One day, I hope to return to this place again.
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