We returned to the caves this morning to visit the ‘cathedral cave’ which is the other they currently run tours through. This is the more famous cave, and we had high hopes.
We weren’t disappointed: it was just as breathtaking as yesterdays! It’s a very different cave, with much fewer stalagmites and stalactites but what it does have is enormous and the cave itself is massive.
It has three levels, each of which the guide took us through in order and at the deepest point we were about 45 m underground, which is about the height of a 10-story building.
Unlike yesterday’s cave this one shows evidence of human visits through the years via graffiti written in lamp or candle spot. Most are simple initials, and one is dated 1872 and looks like it could have been written yesterday. There are a few locations that were once painted (probably to amuse tourists) and the ‘pulpit’ on the large ‘cathedral’ stalagmite has a rotted Bible on top – a relic left after the last cave mass, which was held in 1966.
We spent a good hour inside and I liked how it was a very different experience from yesterday’s cave. These two are part of a 42-cave family and they used to have a third open for tours (The Phosphate Mine) which has been closed for years due to toxic gasses inside.
I’ve been to many caves in several countries and I’d have to say both of these at Wellington are amongst – if not the – most spectacular. They were absolutely worth the trip!
Oh and the snake warning was present for this tour as well. Our guide said they’d seen a black snake behind this seat a few weeks ago and it ‘took a snap’ at another guide! Watch for nasty snakes if you’re ever in the area 🙂