Glow Worm Caves

Our second stop in New Zealand took us to the gorgeous Bay of Islands. I was eager to see native Tui birds there, but locals explained that it was too hot. The birds were staying cool in the deep forest.

Ah, well. I don’t blame them. It was too hot in the sun for this Tui, too.

We compensated for this ornithological disappointment while exploring the seaside village of Paihia. Larry found a pair of Tui earrings with a matching pin and sneakily bought them for me. I love them and have been wearing them ever since.

Later, we took a bus to the Kaiwiti Caves where we saw glow worms twinkling in the darkness. Glow worms emit light in order to lure insects into the sticky threads they dangle from the walls of the cave.

After dining on their prey, they quit glowing until they get hungry again, which can be as long as a month.

Our guide, Hinemoana, was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions with aplomb. I regret, however, that I can’t share pics of the glow worms. Since the caves are sacred to Maori people, photography is forbidden inside.

In addition to hundreds of glow worms, we also saw a big eel in the cave. Priscilla, as she is called, is 4 1/2 feet long and well over 80-years-old!

You can see Hinemoana standing on a meteorite in one of my photos. It fell from the sky and landed at a nearby farm many years ago. They rolled it here so people can marvel at the heavy rock.

Larry and I enjoyed how low key and informal the whole experience was. The cave has no electricity inside, there’s no gift shop, and the only toilet facilities were a couple porta-potties.

The New Zealand countryside is so pretty. I’m in love with the gorgeous forests and great big fern trees.

I definitely want to visit New Zealand again. After all, over yet to see a Tui bird!Read more