Waitomo Glow-worm Caves

About an hour away from Hamilton is a series of caves, and they're famous for their glow-worms. The four of us took a tour, and we first went into a dark cave. At one part, the guide turned the lights off, and there was no source of light at all. We waited in the black for maybe five minutes or so, and during that entire time I couldn't make out anything. It was the darkest place I have ever been. It didn't make a difference if I opened my eyes or closed them.
  After that excursion we stopped for some hot chocolate and "biscuits". Everyone in America calls them cookies. We watched the guide feed a long black eel with a snail, and then we put on our miner's helmets and hiked through into the glow-worm cave.

 

The glow-worm caves were even more amazing. The worms glow from one end of their body. They spin little threads that dangle down from the ceiling to catch food. We climbed into a raft, and the guide turned the lights out, and all you could see was the ceiling, covered in what looked like stars. It was the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen. The guide pulled the raft through the caves on a river using a rope. We stopped and just stared. When we went back into the light, my eyes had dilated so much that it took me nearly five minutes to get back to normal again. I won't forget that experience.

  The last three pictures were borrowed from the company, but this is exactly what it looks like. It is breathtakingly gorgeous.