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Across the abyss, and
heading towards a platform, built over a
very large cathedral like room, deep in the
cavern. |
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There are some lights, in
certain portions of the cave, to help us on
our way. Most are carefully hidden. |
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A look over the side.
Though we love to visit these places, after
their taming by paths, stairs, and
platforms, they are not really very
hospitable in their native state. |
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We stop for a moment, to
rest and to look around. We are definitely
on our way back up, as can be seen by the
stairs to the left, which are continued in
the upper right hand side of the photo. |
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we look around and take
photos. This is a comfortable spot, in a
place which obviously has few natural
comfortable spots. |
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Looking back at the
tunnel, and abyss, through which we had just
passed. |
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The same tunnel, without
flash, and showing the lighting used by the
park. |
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Onwards and upwards.
Before the stairs and paths were built, this
same tour would have taken days. For us, the
tour is a matter of a couple of hours. |
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Gaining the top of the
stairs brings us to another of the may
chambers held by this cave system. |
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Left:
Pausing at the top, to overlook the scene
shown in the photo below.
Below:
There is quite a vista here, considering
that we are underground. You would not
expect to find such large spaces down here. |
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A look back, at the
twisted path winding through the rock
formations. These caves are deep, and seem,
to go on forever, yet we have only covered a
small portion of what has already been
explored down here. |
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Left and Below:
Passing through yet another tunnel,
traversing yet another abyss. |
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Left and Below:
Crossing yet another large room, and deep
fissure. |
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The cave by its own
light. Sadly, tripods are not allowed down
here, so there are few places offering
enough light to use for photography. Its a
shame really, because the cave looks much
better by this light. |
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Left:
The final crossing, as we head back to the
main room, and to the elevators which will
take us the rest of the way to the surface.
Below:
One of the few photos taken, which shows a
bit of the sparkle effect of the walls of
the cave. |
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The end of our tour, and
we are awaiting the elevators which will
take up back up to the welcome center. |