FAIRY CITY

NZ Truth, Issue 1303, 4 December 1930, Page 12

FAIRY CITY

Exquisite Beauty of Waitomo Caves THOSE who have not yet seen the ' Limestone Caves which New Zealand is so fortunate m possessing — Waitomo, Ruakiiri, Arahui— -are to be envied for they # have m front of them a wonderful experience which, some visitors :say, is not to be equalled anywhere m the world. . Travellers come from all over the world to see these caves, and to marvel. Superlatives are worn threadbare m ,an effort to describe to others their strange beauty; Certain it' 'is that, once seen, they can never be forgotten. One leaves the North Island Main Trunk at Hangitiki, for a 6%-mile drive by service , car to the Waitomo- Hostel. This is a lai-ge, spreading building, with sleeping accommodation for just.' on 100 people, fitted i with, every modern: convenience, and situated most happily on a high elevation against a background of hilly country and native bush, > and \vhere, m an atmosphere of cheery courtesy, one's wants are not only supplied, but anticipated. , / .■ N . From the hostel, the parties for the caves are made up, each party limited In number, and escorted by a guide. The caves have two entrances — one by river, the other through a rocky entrance m the hillside.' 'Entering by boat, the outside world slips away, and one enters a fairy city underground, where the age-long dripping of limestone has built a wealth of stalactites and stalagmites, folds and patterns and statuesque forms m extraordinarily realistic shapes and delicate colors, and where cave leads '___ U-____ _ ; ; -^{J

into cave, past stately, gleaming pillars and through glistening corridors, to that most marvellous sight of all, the Glow-wornri Grotto. It is. a trite-s aying that every. New Zealander should know his or her own country. ; It. Ts none the less true thai New Zealand offers an amazing diversity of scope for holiday choice, and m selecting, an unfailingly delightful selection fora short holiday would be the Caves at Waitomo. It' is. not difficult of access. It is not expensive.'.-, .- ..... .