Waitomo Glowworm Caves · A Sky of Stars on the Cave Ceiling

In the limestone caves at Waitomo the ceiling is covered with glowing larvae, a spread of blue light like a night sky brought down underground.

The light comes from the larvae of a gnat: they hang threads from the ceiling, use the glow to draw in small insects, and the threads snag whatever comes. The Māori account is far simpler — a piece of the sky fell into the cave.

In the cave there is no talking, no photography and no touching the water. The boat is pulled along on a rope, and the whole way is quiet.

Natural Mysteries / Waikato · New Zealand / Time immemorial