Waitomo Glowworm Caves

　　 　    Introduction    　　The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, are among the country’s most famous natural wonders. This living limestone cave system formed approximately 15,000 years ago. Beneath the cave, the flow of water has deposited harder black stones, which have accumulated into smooth, spherical shapes at the cave entrance—quite charming—but these natural rocks are not to be removed. The cave has openings at both the top and bottom, attracting many insects to breed inside. Among them, the glowworms are the most remarkable inhabitants. They cling to the ceilings deep within the cavern, creating a mesmerizing, starry-night-like spectacle.

　　 Auckland, New Zealand