Even though responsible cave exploration calls for a tour with certified caving guides, your particular attention to a cave’s environment, beyond the things pointed out and described by the guide, can make a difference in your adventure’s discoveries. Metaphorically speaking, caves are like a gift wrapped package that you need to open to find out what is inside. Caves are natural resources with varied elements and characteristics, some are easily visible and others seem hidden even though they are right in front of you. A close look at details may lead to unwrapping Mother Earth’s gifts present in a cave besides the ones shown by the tour guide.

For your convenience, we happily share tips on how to expand your discoveries at a cave. Stare at all cave walls and formations (made of rock and mineral deposits), including their distinctive shapes. Watch these from far away and from a short distance (when apt to do so). You may notice cave wall formations that seem to depict the image of a face or other item, and maybe neither the tour guide nor other companions spotted the optical illusion. If you have the privilege of detecting that, you may share your findings with the group. It is also possible that a particular cave formation attracts you for its resemblance to a sculpture of an abstract form. Either a cave wall formation, stalactites, stalagmites or columns (result of stalactite and stalagmite connection) could be the sculpted-like nature’s gift. In addition, do not take for granted the living organisms cohabitating in the cave. Pay attention to holes on cave formations since you may notice an animal hiding in one of these (e.g., spider, scorpion, and beetle). Observe the rest of your surroundings as you may find small plants, typically grown at the cave’s entrance where rainwater can reach. If you find green such as moss at some point inside the cave, ask about and search for the water flow and source of light (natural or artificial). The tour guide may generally inform about the existence of an underground river and a sinkhole; however, your inquiry may enlighten you and the rest of the group about the relationship between water, light’s sources, and life-forms in the cave.

Hope the above motivates you to be more attentive during your next caving adventure. Enjoy the journey of observation and let Mother Earth surprise you!