Find Beauty in Unexpected Places

A cave is a natural chamber or series of rooms in the earth or in the side of a cliff or hill. 

Caves are located in many different parts of the world.  They are typically found in areas of high elevation and areas with a lot of underground water.  Many caves are limestone formations.  Caves are also found in places where glaciers and other geological forces have carved out crevices or large cracks in the earth’s surface. 

People have been using caves for thousands of years. Some practical uses include shelter, storage, burial sites, and religious ceremonies.  Recreational uses for caves include caving and spelunking.  Caves also provide an ideal environment for scientific research. They can be used to study archaeology, geology, hydrology, and ecology. Some caves are used for mining and tourism as well.  

Caves are located in many different parts of the world. I am going to mention a few that I have been able to visit on my travels around the world.

The Blue Grotto in Malta is one of the most beautiful sea caves in the world.  It consists of several chambers, each having its own unique features and colours. The water is crystal clear making the Blue Grotto a great place to explore. Another cave, located in the south of the island of Malta is Ghar Dalam.  This cave houses a variety of animal and plant fossils. Ghar Dalam is believed to be the site of the first human settlement in Malta.

New Zealand has an abundance of limestone and other types of sedimentary rocks which are perfect for forming caves. There are many underground rivers in New Zealand which are perfect for forming underground waterfalls, rivers and other underground features.  New Zealand has a long volcanic history as well. Volcanos have created large chambers filled with lava and other volcanic features.  

The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves are a popular tourist attraction in the small town of Waitomo, New Zealand. On one of my trips to New Zealand my friends took me to see the Arachnocampa luminosa [a species of glow worms]. These glow worms emit a bright blue light which creates a starry sky effect on the ceiling of the cave.  We climbed down into the cave and then in a boat to see the glow worms up close. These caves are also home to a variety of other native species, such as the longfin eel, freshwater crayfish, and kiwi birds.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff, Alberta is the most famous cave system in Canada.  It was discovered in 1883 and is home to a variety of unique species of wildlife as well as hot springs. A soak in the hot springs pool is a welcome event after a day of exploring in Banff National Park.

The Sea Caves of Nova Scotia located in the Bay of Fundy near Parrsboro, NS is another popular destination.  Here you can see unique and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and a variety of rare geological features.  I have to mention these caves since I am originally from Nova Scotia and my Dad grew up here. Parrsboro is famous for having the highest tides.  The difference between high tide and low tide is over 10 feet. 

These are the sayings I found on the bookmark called Advice from a Cave.

• Breathe deep

• Find beauty in unexpected places

• Search inward

• See the hole picture

• Good things take time

• Look beneath the surface

• Hang tight!

These are my comments about each of these sayings.  

• Breathe deep - Take a deep breath before tackling something new or challenging.  It will help you feel strong and confident.

• Find beauty in unexpected places - Look for beauty in everything. Look out for colours, textures, shapes, reflections in water, shadows,  Look up, look down, look all around. 

• Search inward - Just as one must go inside a cave to discover what it has to offer, looking inward is about discovering yourself. Taking stock of where you have been, what you have done and who you are, gives you clarity and allows you to move forward and to reach your goals.  

• See the hole picture - a play on words - hole instead of whole

• Good things take time - Carving out a cave takes time. Be patient. Good things take a lot of time and action.

• Look beneath the surface - Don’t judge a book by its cover.

• Hang tight! - In many caves bats, glow worms, and other animals have to hang to the roof or ceiling of the cave.  Hang tight and don’t give up!

Have a great day everyone.  Find beauty in unexpected places. Remember good things take time!

# living life abundantly  # published author  # travelling tuesdays