Waitomo

Atlas ObscuraAug 17

15 Best Places to Experience Bioluminescence

The humble glow worm is, in fact, a catchall term for numerous glowing creatures, from gnat larvae to fire flys to algae, that can be found all over the world. These tiny critters illuminate the night through bioluminescence, a process in which light is emitted by internal chemical reactions. Bioluminescence has evolved independently in over 90 different species, first emerging some 540 million…

15 sights in this story

Waitomo Glowworm CavesAttractionThousands of bioluminescent larvae create starlike lights.
Elsewhere
Waipu CavesSightWaipu, New ZealandLesser-known alternative to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Glowworm TunnelSightHelensburgh, AustraliaGlowworms settled in on the roof, illuminating the air.
Sea of StarsSightVaadhoo, MaldivesPhytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum move with waves.
Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky MountainsSightGatlinburg, United StatesRare breed of firefly, P. carolinus, flashes in unison.
Newnes Glow Worm TunnelSightPutty, AustraliaSandstone tunnel reclaimed by Arachnocampa richardsae larvae.
Bloody Bay Coral WallSightLittle Cayman, Cayman IslandsCoral wall home to microscopic bioluminescent creatures.
Blue Ghost FirefliesSightHendersonville, United StatesFlightless females glow and streak through the sky.
Glistening WatersSightFalmouth, JamaicaAgitation produces a strange and beautiful blue-green light.
Kampung Kuantan Fireflies ParkSightBestari Jaya, MalaysiaTens of thousands of fireflies blink in perfect unison.
Glowing Millipedes of Sequoia National ParkSightThree Rivers, United StatesMotyxia millipedes use bioluminescence as a warning.
Gippsland Lakes BioluminescenceSightRaymond Island, AustraliaAlgae bloom of Noctiluca Scintillans visible at night.
The Firefly Squid of Toyama BaySightNamerikawa, JapanWatasenia scintillans light up like blue glow sticks.
The Milky SeasSightSomaliaOcean area glows due to bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio harveyi.
Dismals CanyonSightPhil Campbell, United StatesCanyon lights up with hundreds of bioluminescent gnat larvae.

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

Atlas ObscuraAug 4

Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Unique Romantic Getaways

You’ve decided to go somewhere together. Maybe you just got married and you’re planning a honeymoon. Maybe you’re marking a decade together with an anniversary trip that actually means something. Maybe you don’t need an occasion at all, save for a wish to get out of ordinary life for a while and remember why you chose each other. Everyone expects you to go somewhere with an overwater bungalow a…

22 things in this story

Mangapohue Natural BridgeTrailMassive limestone arch over a stream with ancient oyster fossils.
Ruakuri Cave tourSightLonger cave tour with spiral entrance and glowworm boat ride.
Elsewhere
Saihō-jiPlace of worshipKyoto, JapanMoss Temple with over 120 varieties of moss carpeting garden.
Fushimi-Inari-TaishaSightKyoto, JapanShrine with thousands of vermillion torii gates up a mountain.
Fes el-BaliGuest houseFes, MoroccoWorld's largest car-free urban zone, unchanged since middle ages.
Bou Inania MadrasaAttractionFes, Morocco14th-century theological college with carved cedar ornamentation.
Chouara Leather TannerySightFes, MoroccoWatch leather dyed in vats from a rooftop terrace.
MellahNeighborhoodFes, MoroccoOld Jewish quarter with brass-workers in tiny ateliers.
Merenid TombsSightFes, MoroccoClimb above the city for evening views as call to prayer echoes.
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and CraftsMuseumFes, Morocco18th-century caravanserai with a rooftop café overlooking medina.
Philosopher’s PathTrailKyoto, JapanWalk along the canal in the early morning light.
Ōtoyo ShrinePlace of worshipKyoto, JapanSmall shrine protected by cat statues.
TawarayaRestaurantKyoto, JapanTraditional ryokan in Higashiyama with futons and kaiseki dinner.
Nishiki MarketMarketKyoto, JapanCovered shopping street known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen'.
Kurodani TempleSightKyoto, Japan12th-century Tendai temple where monks practice chanting.
TrælanípaTrailVágar, Faroe IslandsHike to see a lake that appears to float above the ocean.
EnnibergSightFugloy, Faroe IslandsHighest sea cliff in the Faroese islands, 270 meters above Atlantic.
Hotel FøroyarHotelTórshavn, Faroe IslandsHotel above Tórshavn with scenic views and turf roof.
Riad LaaroussaGuest houseFes, Morocco
Dar RoumanaGuest houseFes, Morocco
Te Tiro AccommodationHotelWaikato, New Zealand
Golden Ridge RetreatHotelWaikato, New Zealand

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

We Took Our Kid to the Ends of the Earth. Here’s What It Taught Us.

15 Best Places to Experience Bioluminescence

Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Unique Romantic Getaways