=0A= =0A= =0A= [password] zara1010 [position] 21 34.80s 164 16.44e [status] In Koumac Marina - Cave Trip :image Caves We're in the marina at at Koumac=2C and had been told that a network of cav= es nearby are a 'must see'. We put new batteries in our torches and were given a lift out to them. We arrived at the entrance to the 'Small Caves'=2C wandered in=2C looked ar= ound for 10 mins or so and came out=2C it was interesting=2C but not impres= sive.=20 We walked further to the 'Big Caves' and saw a laminated paper sign=2C 'Gro= tte' by a huge tower of rocks interspersed with the aerial roots of banyan= trees=2C this looked more challenging. We set off upwards following the di= rt path caused by multiple footprints=2C arriving near the top of the trees= we saw a low arch=2C the dust trail led down=2C so we ducked inside. We were in a cavern=2C looking around we could see the main structure was s= mooth light grey rock. Stones crunching underfoot=2C we started the adventure=2C after a few twist= s and turns daylight no longer penetrated=2C without a torch it was too dar= k to tell if you had your eyes open or not.=20 We seemed to be following a dry river bed=2C walking on the bigger stones= =2C higher up the walls the tunnel was lined with what looked like pebbleda= sh in certain places=2C the small stones and a rough sand-like material for= ming a cement hard coating. The force of the water rushing through these tu= nnels over the years=2C carrying the small stones and sand particles=2C lea= ching out the lime and somehow covering large areas of the limestone cave w= alls. In other places the water had worn the pebbledash away revealing the = smooth grey walls again=2C thinking of how much water must gush along the t= unnels we were glad it was the dry season.=20 The underground river bed led us easily onwards=2C there were wonderfully s= haped stalactites and stalacmites=2C places where the roof was so high we c= ouldn't see it even with our brightest torch=2C hollowed out areas where th= e water must eddy and swirl=2C and some huge precariously positioned boulde= rs=2C looking as though they held up the roof=2C wondering about the possib= ility of an earthquake was nerve-wracking. With pounding heart=2C churning = stomach and adrenaline dry mouth I followed Si as we headed in=2C then cont= inued to walk. Further in we had to scramble up tumbled rocks=2C heading to= wards the top of the cavern=2C a waterfall without the water.=20 There were aerosol arrows pointing backwards to guide you out=2C but you co= uld also tell the direction by which of the protruding rocky bulges had dar= kened and worn ultra smooth with endless hands steadying themselves.=20 You can walk in for 3 hours before having to re-trace your steps=2C I was n= ot that brave but we did manage to walk for over 35 minutes into what felt = like something from Lord of the Rings=2C at every dark pool I looked for Go= llum. Turning round I felt like running crazily towards daylight=2C away from the= mega tons of precariously perched rocks above my head - and the terror wit= hin my head. I clutched at the shiny handholds and scurried off. Distracti= on was provided when Si spotted a snoozing bat at eye level=2C a furry drop= let tucked into a nook of a stalactite. The air was cool=2C standing still you could feel a faint breeze on your sk= in=2C it was odourless=2C no earthy smell or mustiness=2C unless you were b= y the bat colony=2C then your nostrils knew about it.=20 Wonderfully there was no rubbish=2C the water that hollowed out these caves= must drip through the rocks=2C a river would bring flotsam & jetsam - then= leave it behind. Whilst standing still we noticed cave wetas at our feet=2C their delicate a= ntenna waving endlessly=2C then we heard high pitched squeaks=2C we thought= bat sonar was inaudible to humans=2C shining the torch we saw it was a bir= d - a cave swiftlet that also navigates in the dark using echo location. Ca= lming slightly as we watched cave life around us=2C I moved more slowly tow= ards the exit=2C but was most thankful to head out and absorb the intense = blues and greens of the outside world. Now a couple of days have passed I'd like to do it again - but would take s= pare batteries as well as the three torches we had.=20 There are no restrictions to access=2C your safety is your own responsibili= ty=2C when we re-traced our steps we didn't feel unsure of the way=2C but w= e'd only gone 17% of the way along the possible 2 mile route to the interio= r. = [END]