Waitomo caves in the North Island
On our trip around the North of the North island we visited the Aranui cave. It is the smallest cave of the Waitomo caves. Ruruku Aranui, a Maori man discovered this cave in 1910. it is a cave with beautiful lime stone formations.
One path from the carpark leads to the Raukuri natural tunnel track. A track through native bush, along limestone outcrops, caves, natural tunnels, above and along rushing water. It was one of the high lights of our trip The place is also of strong cultural and spiritual improtance to the maories.
For me the experience was like walking through a gorgeous magical enchanted forest.
High upon a wall there is a secret place where the fairies play.
"The wall is silence, the grass is sleep,
Tall trees of peace their vigil keep,
And the Fairy of Dreams with moth-wings furled
Plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world."
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
Tall trees of peace their vigil keep,
And the Fairy of Dreams with moth-wings furled
Plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world."
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
The water elves carve their way through the castles of stone
Swirling roots, frozen in time, locking the entrance to the green palace
Peek through the tunnel and catch a glimpse of the enchanted forest
The cave warps a shadow on its mysteries
The trees whispers their stories to the ones who want to hear
Listen to the timeless chatter of the river
Spirits of fantasy dwell in this untamed place
The rushing waters, swishing and splashing music, in harmony with the magic song of the birds
Beautiful photos and crafted words...simply stunning Marja!
ReplyDeleteYou have such an amazing talent my friend.
I particularly love "The water elves carve their way through the castles of stone".
I must see this gorgeous magical enchanted forest one day.
Big heart hugs
Peggy xxxx
Your photos are so beautiful. Next time when I go to NZ I shall travel to the North Island!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit.Abel Tasman was not a great leader for his crew picked a fight with the Maoris, after seeing their ceremonial traditional welcoming dance with spears. They thought they were threatened by the Maoris.;)
Ancient as time itself such natural wonders do spark the imagination, Marja. Your poetic descriptions match the lovely photographs and illustrate that unseen marvels exist in magical places when one is willing to find them. Thanks as always for sharing your NZ journeys. :)
ReplyDeleteThe rushing waters, swishing and splashing music, in harmony...
ReplyDeleteWhile it a not a natural waterfall in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in Florida there is a path leading to one of the attractions where the water is falling into a small pond and I swear the place is magical. They even placed a bench in front of it and I could sit there all day and just watch it.
Great picture!
Absolutely awesome and insprining, Marja! Every time I visit your site I feel as though I am traveling and never leaving home. Your photos and words are...well, I have no words to describe! Hope you and your family are doing well.
ReplyDeleteKia ora Marja,
ReplyDeleteWe live in such an amazing place! Every time I walk through a forest, or hear and see the the sight and sound of clear cold mountain water I feel alive. Of course, that beauty comes with the price of volatility in Nature, as you guys down there no so well. But we do have to remind ourselves of all the good things as well. Hope you and the family are healthy safe, and well. Kia kaha e hoa.
Aroha,
Robb
This is a wonderful post Marja. I will be going to find this magical place. It is a long time since I visited the caves. That's how it is when one lives so close isn't it!
ReplyDeleteyou are very poetic with the photos, I went there two years ago, thanks for memories.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are pure magic. I want to visit this area now!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see them, as I was trying to have a look over the weekend, but because I'm on dial-up at the bach, it took to long for them to load and I had to abandon the attempt. So thank you, I love them.
Extraordinary place, Marja. The frozen roots were, for me, especially moving.
ReplyDeleteMarja, thank you for sharing all these beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post!
Margie x
and the nature around the cave makes it even more misterious...
ReplyDeleteOH WOW! I would spend DAYYYYYYYYS here! Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been browsing the pictures on your site. They are breathtaking. Where did they come from?
ReplyDeleteThank you Unless otherwise stated they are all mine
ReplyDelete