Why TeAnau...Glowworm cave. The word TeAnau in Maori means cave with rushing waters. Though kept secret for many years as it the Maori believed the cave held the eyes of their deceased, the name encouraged a British explorer to search until he found it...and of course it soon turned into a tourist attraction. We don't usually gravitate toward tourist attractions unless they involve nature. And this one was cool. A catamaran took us across the gigantic Lake TeAnau to the cave opening. Ducking low, we entered...more dark and damp with each step...and surprisingly noisier as water rushed by us. We climbed metal stairs lit up by tiny lamps passing waterfalls that were carving unique sculptured rock formations and whirlpools. On the top of one of the falls, we climbed into a small boat. No more lights. Just pitch black. We glided into a silent grotto and barely above us were the glowworms. Picture thousands of fire flies constantly lit up. Like a clear night sky with bright iridescent green stars. Extraordinary! Back at the info center, we learned what we were really seeing was glow larvae begging for food and under each were dozens of long sticky strings just waiting to catch an insect. Isn't nature amazingly cunning!!!
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> Sent from my iPad
