thank you for having me here and having that opportunity to show you a little
that opportunity to show you a little
that opportunity to show you a little bit about the underworld in Vietnam and
bit about the underworld in Vietnam and
bit about the underworld in Vietnam and I want to side the expedition leader
I want to side the expedition leader
I want to side the expedition leader Howard Limbert who said to find the
Howard Limbert who said to find the
Howard Limbert who said to find the giant cave like Hong Hong Kong in
giant cave like Hong Hong Kong in
giant cave like Hong Hong Kong in Vietnam is something like you find the
Vietnam is something like you find the
Vietnam is something like you find the previously unknown Mount Everest have
previously unknown Mount Everest have
previously unknown Mount Everest have compared to mountains and he added and
compared to mountains and he added and
compared to mountains and he added and we still just scratched the surface so
we still just scratched the surface so
we still just scratched the surface so we don’t know exactly what is underneath
we don’t know exactly what is underneath
we don’t know exactly what is underneath his giant limestone plateaus and it’s an
his giant limestone plateaus and it’s an
his giant limestone plateaus and it’s an unknown world and it’s it was a major
unknown world and it’s it was a major
unknown world and it’s it was a major discovery done in 2009 and we revisited
discovery done in 2009 and we revisited
discovery done in 2009 and we revisited in 2010 and we explored it more and we
in 2010 and we explored it more and we
in 2010 and we explored it more and we wanted to continue fault lines and and
wanted to continue fault lines and and
wanted to continue fault lines and and even get into maybe even bigger systems
even get into maybe even bigger systems
even get into maybe even bigger systems anyway it gave me some heroes in in the
anyway it gave me some heroes in in the
anyway it gave me some heroes in in the beginning because I knew that it’s these
beginning because I knew that it’s these
beginning because I knew that it’s these were the biggest passages we know of and
were the biggest passages we know of and
were the biggest passages we know of and the biggest black holes on our planet so
the biggest black holes on our planet so
the biggest black holes on our planet so how should I photograph it how should I
how should I photograph it how should I
how should I photograph it how should I light it so I will tell you more and we
light it so I will tell you more and we
light it so I will tell you more and we start the show yeah just to give you an
start the show yeah just to give you an
start the show yeah just to give you an orientation where we are we are in
orientation where we are we are in
orientation where we are we are in central Vietnam around here that’s a
central Vietnam around here that’s a
central Vietnam around here that’s a phone knock a bang National Park it is a
phone knock a bang National Park it is a
phone knock a bang National Park it is a huge limestone plateau it’s the biggest
huge limestone plateau it’s the biggest
huge limestone plateau it’s the biggest in Asia all the gray part is is
in Asia all the gray part is is
in Asia all the gray part is is limestone rock and we have different
limestone rock and we have different
limestone rock and we have different river systems here here with cave
river systems here here with cave
river systems here here with cave entrances in red the the warming system
entrances in red the the warming system
entrances in red the the warming system here in green here in violet these are
here in green here in violet these are
here in green here in violet these are sub terian rivers with different cave
sub terian rivers with different cave
sub terian rivers with different cave entrances no and there is the Hong Hong
entrances no and there is the Hong Hong
entrances no and there is the Hong Hong Kong situated the biggest
Kong situated the biggest
Kong situated the biggest cave passage we found just in general to
cave passage we found just in general to
cave passage we found just in general to give you an idea how the landscape looks
give you an idea how the landscape looks
give you an idea how the landscape looks like so these are the edges of the edges
like so these are the edges of the edges
like so these are the edges of the edges of this limestone plateau it’s a very
of this limestone plateau it’s a very
of this limestone plateau it’s a very pretty
pretty
pretty Comcast or tower cost so we find some
Comcast or tower cost so we find some
Comcast or tower cost so we find some nice points where the people water their
nice points where the people water their
nice points where the people water their buffaloes and it is very fertile land
buffaloes and it is very fertile land
buffaloes and it is very fertile land there so they grow rice and very very
there so they grow rice and very very
there so they grow rice and very very picturesque and scenic landscape
picturesque and scenic landscape
picturesque and scenic landscape landscape but also I mean the mountains
landscape but also I mean the mountains
landscape but also I mean the mountains are very ragged and very difficult to to
are very ragged and very difficult to to
are very ragged and very difficult to to explore and this is also the edge of
explore and this is also the edge of
explore and this is also the edge of these systems so just to make a mile a
these systems so just to make a mile a
these systems so just to make a mile a horizontal mile means you have to go up
horizontal mile means you have to go up
horizontal mile means you have to go up and down and over really sharp razor
and down and over really sharp razor
and down and over really sharp razor blade sharp rocks and it’s a long way
blade sharp rocks and it’s a long way
blade sharp rocks and it’s a long way sometimes you need just a whole day to
sometimes you need just a whole day to
sometimes you need just a whole day to do a mile so that is the problem that
do a mile so that is the problem that
do a mile so that is the problem that it’s so remote and out from that plateau
it’s so remote and out from that plateau
it’s so remote and out from that plateau huge rivers come out they were first sub
huge rivers come out they were first sub
huge rivers come out they were first sub Tyrion and come to the surface and they
Tyrion and come to the surface and they
Tyrion and come to the surface and they are more or less than life lane for the
are more or less than life lane for the
are more or less than life lane for the people and they they wash their water
people and they they wash their water
people and they they wash their water buffaloes or kids playing around or for
buffaloes or kids playing around or for
buffaloes or kids playing around or for the fishermen so it’s it’s really where
the fishermen so it’s it’s really where
the fishermen so it’s it’s really where the life takes place and that is our
the life takes place and that is our
the life takes place and that is our main village where we where we based off
main village where we where we based off
main village where we where we based off so it’s called song truck it made a huge
so it’s called song truck it made a huge
so it’s called song truck it made a huge development the last 10 years so we have
development the last 10 years so we have
development the last 10 years so we have some concrete buildings and from there
some concrete buildings and from there
some concrete buildings and from there we stream out into the forest so there
we stream out into the forest so there
we stream out into the forest so there is a lot of bush walking we had
is a lot of bush walking we had
is a lot of bush walking we had fantastic assistance with
fantastic assistance with
fantastic assistance with with Bushman jungle man who ported us
with Bushman jungle man who ported us
with Bushman jungle man who ported us our our goods over very steep bracket
our our goods over very steep bracket
our our goods over very steep bracket terrain it’s always well you if you are
terrain it’s always well you if you are
terrain it’s always well you if you are in front of that row you have to hack
in front of that row you have to hack
in front of that row you have to hack your way through the bush give eff you
your way through the bush give eff you
your way through the bush give eff you face a lot of spider nets and well in
face a lot of spider nets and well in
face a lot of spider nets and well in between you can see some nice poisonous
between you can see some nice poisonous
between you can see some nice poisonous snakes or some centipedes and if you are
snakes or some centipedes and if you are
snakes or some centipedes and if you are in the end of the row you get all the
in the end of the row you get all the
in the end of the row you get all the leeches who are detecting something is
leeches who are detecting something is
leeches who are detecting something is coming and so so the leeches will call
coming and so so the leeches will call
coming and so so the leeches will call on you up onto your body and into your
on you up onto your body and into your
on you up onto your body and into your clothes so for me where numb is the
clothes so for me where numb is the
clothes so for me where numb is the country of butterflies so it is amazing
country of butterflies so it is amazing
country of butterflies so it is amazing it’s overwhelming you see butterflies
it’s overwhelming you see butterflies
it’s overwhelming you see butterflies everywhere and as many butterflies you
everywhere and as many butterflies you
everywhere and as many butterflies you see and as beautiful they are that many
see and as beautiful they are that many
see and as beautiful they are that many caterpillars you have to and they are
caterpillars you have to and they are
caterpillars you have to and they are hairy and they have educating hairs and
hairy and they have educating hairs and
hairy and they have educating hairs and whatever and that is exactly what
whatever and that is exactly what
whatever and that is exactly what happened to how one he just put his
happened to how one he just put his
happened to how one he just put his wetsuit out there on the knees a tree
wetsuit out there on the knees a tree
wetsuit out there on the knees a tree and all the caterpillars fell in and
and all the caterpillars fell in and
and all the caterpillars fell in and lost their hairs and whatever so he got
lost their hairs and whatever so he got
lost their hairs and whatever so he got rid of them just went into his wetsuit
rid of them just went into his wetsuit
rid of them just went into his wetsuit and wanted to do a cave and then
and wanted to do a cave and then
and wanted to do a cave and then everything got irritating in his back
everything got irritating in his back
everything got irritating in his back and painful and it was stinging and it
and painful and it was stinging and it
and painful and it was stinging and it was poisonous and whatever so he had a
was poisonous and whatever so he had a
was poisonous and whatever so he had a really hard time he had to get out of
really hard time he had to get out of
really hard time he had to get out of the cave here to get you finish
the cave here to get you finish
the cave here to get you finish everything it had was really painful the
everything it had was really painful the
everything it had was really painful the porters were laughing at him but then
porters were laughing at him but then
porters were laughing at him but then they realized it was more serious than
they realized it was more serious than
they realized it was more serious than that and he’s in a really awkward
that and he’s in a really awkward
that and he’s in a really awkward situation and has pain and they have to
situation and has pain and they have to
situation and has pain and they have to do something about it and they put him
do something about it and they put him
do something about it and they put him on fire and with a lot of warms after
on fire and with a lot of warms after
on fire and with a lot of warms after eventually after four or five hours the
eventually after four or five hours the
eventually after four or five hours the pain was receding and yeah he had a
pain was receding and yeah he had a
pain was receding and yeah he had a tough time anyway so little stories
tough time anyway so little stories
tough time anyway so little stories besides so but that’s what you
besides so but that’s what you
besides so but that’s what you experience on the experi
experience on the experi
experience on the experi like this but it’s it’s incredible I
like this but it’s it’s incredible I
like this but it’s it’s incredible I mean the variety of butterflies and
mean the variety of butterflies and
mean the variety of butterflies and sometimes they are big like birds and
sometimes they are big like birds and
sometimes they are big like birds and they really surprise you with
they really surprise you with
they really surprise you with IRA’s iridescent wings and really it’s
IRA’s iridescent wings and really it’s
IRA’s iridescent wings and really it’s amazing
so and for cave exploring you have to
so and for cave exploring you have to follow any lead any little fissure and
follow any lead any little fissure and
follow any lead any little fissure and in the beginning it’s quite difficult to
in the beginning it’s quite difficult to
in the beginning it’s quite difficult to find really major systems so you can’t
find really major systems so you can’t
find really major systems so you can’t see it like a mountain you have to you
see it like a mountain you have to you
see it like a mountain you have to you have to crawl into anything which
have to crawl into anything which
have to crawl into anything which what-what is kind of opening and
what-what is kind of opening and
what-what is kind of opening and unfortunately we have been very unhappy
unfortunately we have been very unhappy
unfortunately we have been very unhappy on that trip so there was a lot of
on that trip so there was a lot of
on that trip so there was a lot of effort a lot of walking but without
effort a lot of walking but without
effort a lot of walking but without really the big results so we find only
really the big results so we find only
really the big results so we find only mine while marginal descends so probably
mine while marginal descends so probably
mine while marginal descends so probably if you go further in maybe there are the
if you go further in maybe there are the
if you go further in maybe there are the big systems but you never know exactly
big systems but you never know exactly
big systems but you never know exactly so we had something like 20 meter drops
so we had something like 20 meter drops
so we had something like 20 meter drops and that was it so it was always
and that was it so it was always
and that was it so it was always disappointing on the other hand we we’ve
disappointing on the other hand we we’ve
disappointing on the other hand we we’ve met this kind of people
met this kind of people
met this kind of people it is Fong na ki bong National Park it’s
it is Fong na ki bong National Park it’s
it is Fong na ki bong National Park it’s a World Heritage Site but still there
a World Heritage Site but still there
a World Heritage Site but still there are these illegal loggers and also
are these illegal loggers and also
are these illegal loggers and also illegal hunters so it’s amazing how much
illegal hunters so it’s amazing how much
illegal hunters so it’s amazing how much they carry these are maybe 100 pound man
they carry these are maybe 100 pound man
they carry these are maybe 100 pound man carrying 200 pounds on their back on
carrying 200 pounds on their back on
carrying 200 pounds on their back on this very ragged landscape with their
this very ragged landscape with their
this very ragged landscape with their plastic sandals it’s it’s incredible how
plastic sandals it’s it’s incredible how
plastic sandals it’s it’s incredible how they manage it here on the entrance it’s
they manage it here on the entrance it’s
they manage it here on the entrance it’s like a like a living thing that cave
like a like a living thing that cave
like a like a living thing that cave freezes and has clouds inside so
freezes and has clouds inside so
freezes and has clouds inside so everything comes out and it’s almost
everything comes out and it’s almost
everything comes out and it’s almost like a storm and moves the the leaves
like a storm and moves the the leaves
like a storm and moves the the leaves and yeah it’s a kind of a cold wind and
and yeah it’s a kind of a cold wind and
and yeah it’s a kind of a cold wind and for me as a photograph I it was always
for me as a photograph I it was always
for me as a photograph I it was always kind of tricky to have to deal with so
kind of tricky to have to deal with so
kind of tricky to have to deal with so much fog I didn’t reckon with that and
much fog I didn’t reckon with that and
much fog I didn’t reckon with that and yeah I had to somehow live with that
yeah I had to somehow live with that
yeah I had to somehow live with that because they always always some sort of
because they always always some sort of
because they always always some sort of condensation and it was tricky to get
condensation and it was tricky to get
condensation and it was tricky to get some clear view especially here in the
some clear view especially here in the
some clear view especially here in the entrance there was a lot of condensation
entrance there was a lot of condensation
entrance there was a lot of condensation when the cool air comes out of the cave
when the cool air comes out of the cave
when the cool air comes out of the cave it just it just condensate and well soon
it just it just condensate and well soon
it just it just condensate and well soon in the beginning what I showed now is a
in the beginning what I showed now is a
in the beginning what I showed now is a little
little
little they were already this this beautiful
they were already this this beautiful
they were already this this beautiful and impressive huge stars and I did what
and impressive huge stars and I did what
and impressive huge stars and I did what I could do with illuminating this kind
I could do with illuminating this kind
I could do with illuminating this kind of situations
of situations
of situations despite this fog it was pretty
despite this fog it was pretty
despite this fog it was pretty impressive to to see how how other it
impressive to to see how how other it
impressive to to see how how other it changes with different light settings so
changes with different light settings so
changes with different light settings so I overlaid some images to give you a
I overlaid some images to give you a
I overlaid some images to give you a idea how you can visualize these sort of
idea how you can visualize these sort of
idea how you can visualize these sort of rooms but it was very beautiful entry
rooms but it was very beautiful entry
rooms but it was very beautiful entry and then we come into this huge gallery
and then we come into this huge gallery
and then we come into this huge gallery and this is half a mile away that is
and this is half a mile away that is
and this is half a mile away that is called hand hands of talk and and and
called hand hands of talk and and and
called hand hands of talk and and and after that is the view to the first door
after that is the view to the first door
after that is the view to the first door line which is another half mile away so
line which is another half mile away so
line which is another half mile away so it’s actually one kilometer or 1 1 mile
it’s actually one kilometer or 1 1 mile
it’s actually one kilometer or 1 1 mile towards the towards the opening and you
towards the towards the opening and you
towards the towards the opening and you have this giant giant stalls I mean that
have this giant giant stalls I mean that
have this giant giant stalls I mean that is like more than a 10 story building
is like more than a 10 story building
is like more than a 10 story building this dystonic might and here you have as
this dystonic might and here you have as
this dystonic might and here you have as a comparison a person yeah it’s
a comparison a person yeah it’s
a comparison a person yeah it’s absolutely unbelievable these dimensions
absolutely unbelievable these dimensions
absolutely unbelievable these dimensions and it’s difficult to put that in scale
and it’s difficult to put that in scale
and it’s difficult to put that in scale so now I change the position to exactly
so now I change the position to exactly
so now I change the position to exactly where that man stand and we see in the
where that man stand and we see in the
where that man stand and we see in the back far these little stalls but these
back far these little stalls but these
back far these little stalls but these are the big ones we have seen in just in
are the big ones we have seen in just in
are the big ones we have seen in just in the last frame so it just gives you an
the last frame so it just gives you an
the last frame so it just gives you an idea how big these rooms are and that is
idea how big these rooms are and that is
idea how big these rooms are and that is half a mile to these big stars and we
half a mile to these big stars and we
half a mile to these big stars and we needed like 14 people to light this
needed like 14 people to light this
needed like 14 people to light this gallery that was very very tricky and to
gallery that was very very tricky and to
gallery that was very very tricky and to lighting in that way that the fog
lighting in that way that the fog
lighting in that way that the fog doesn’t reflect the light so it was
doesn’t reflect the light so it was
doesn’t reflect the light so it was pretty challenging to to make that shot
pretty challenging to to make that shot
pretty challenging to to make that shot and we had of course a lot of problems
and we had of course a lot of problems
and we had of course a lot of problems also in terms of communication with
also in terms of communication with
also in terms of communication with there were a lot of Vietnamese you can
there were a lot of Vietnamese you can
there were a lot of Vietnamese you can imagine what what it means to get that
imagine what what it means to get that
imagine what what it means to get that somehow coordinated and with only a low
somehow coordinated and with only a low
somehow coordinated and with only a low number of radios and then it should be
number of radios and then it should be
number of radios and then it should be translated and whatever it was just a
translated and whatever it was just a
translated and whatever it was just a mess
mess
mess and well here we are close now to the
and well here we are close now to the
and well here we are close now to the first sinkhole and it the the pictures
first sinkhole and it the the pictures
first sinkhole and it the the pictures changed from the natural light setting
changed from the natural light setting
changed from the natural light setting towards a little artificial ads which
towards a little artificial ads which
towards a little artificial ads which which shows you how big some of these
which shows you how big some of these
which shows you how big some of these rocks are which are just falling from
rocks are which are just falling from
rocks are which are just falling from the ceiling yeah they are several storey
the ceiling yeah they are several storey
the ceiling yeah they are several storey buildings which just fall from the
buildings which just fall from the
buildings which just fall from the ceiling so these dimensions are really
ceiling so these dimensions are really
ceiling so these dimensions are really unbelievable and then just these little
unbelievable and then just these little
unbelievable and then just these little stalls next to the person you you can
stalls next to the person you you can
stalls next to the person you you can figure out how big it is and then there
figure out how big it is and then there
figure out how big it is and then there was something very very strange what I
was something very very strange what I
was something very very strange what I have never seen before like that it’s
have never seen before like that it’s
have never seen before like that it’s it’s a so-called phyto cost and these
it’s a so-called phyto cost and these
it’s a so-called phyto cost and these are microorganisms who actively yeah
are microorganisms who actively yeah
are microorganisms who actively yeah attract calcite and they grow it’s some
attract calcite and they grow it’s some
attract calcite and they grow it’s some kind of growing stone and this grows
kind of growing stone and this grows
kind of growing stone and this grows towards the light these microorganisms
towards the light these microorganisms
towards the light these microorganisms they built their own castle and their
they built their own castle and their
they built their own castle and their heart shell with rock and and just it’s
heart shell with rock and and just it’s
heart shell with rock and and just it’s growing rock against against light it’s
growing rock against against light it’s
growing rock against against light it’s absolutely amazing so here we have the
absolutely amazing so here we have the
absolutely amazing so here we have the dim light of of the first door line
dim light of of the first door line
dim light of of the first door line again and you see the size of these
again and you see the size of these
again and you see the size of these boulders it’s just massive everything
boulders it’s just massive everything
boulders it’s just massive everything yeah you see a little of the forest on
yeah you see a little of the forest on
yeah you see a little of the forest on the top and they are hanging wines and
the top and they are hanging wines and
the top and they are hanging wines and some look like petrified icicles and
some look like petrified icicles and
some look like petrified icicles and down there you have giant it’s also a
down there you have giant it’s also a
down there you have giant it’s also a fight across stalagmite in a way and
fight across stalagmite in a way and
fight across stalagmite in a way and it’s over and over grown with with this
it’s over and over grown with with this
it’s over and over grown with with this plans and this is the place they called
plans and this is the place they called
plans and this is the place they called watch out for dinosaurs and somehow I
watch out for dinosaurs and somehow I
watch out for dinosaurs and somehow I knew why
knew why
knew why I wouldn’t have wondered if someone
I wouldn’t have wondered if someone
I wouldn’t have wondered if someone looks around the edge and you and roars
looks around the edge and you and roars
looks around the edge and you and roars and there are some crazy sounds too and
and there are some crazy sounds too and
and there are some crazy sounds too and and here you see again this kind of
and here you see again this kind of
and here you see again this kind of rocks
rocks
rocks yeah which which which form around the
yeah which which which form around the
yeah which which which form around the plants and the plants completely adapted
plants and the plants completely adapted
plants and the plants completely adapted to that so it’s it’s it’s rock hard
to that so it’s it’s it’s rock hard
to that so it’s it’s it’s rock hard their stems and yeah very to me very
their stems and yeah very to me very
their stems and yeah very to me very fascinating yeah I would love to know
fascinating yeah I would love to know
fascinating yeah I would love to know the biology behind it here you see
the biology behind it here you see
the biology behind it here you see that’s this massive style in the middle
that’s this massive style in the middle
that’s this massive style in the middle it’s about 200 feet high and all built
it’s about 200 feet high and all built
it’s about 200 feet high and all built up by these microorganisms so in rainy
up by these microorganisms so in rainy
up by these microorganisms so in rainy season there is a waterfall coming or
season there is a waterfall coming or
season there is a waterfall coming or just or if it rains a waterfall coming
just or if it rains a waterfall coming
just or if it rains a waterfall coming down and you see that that this is the
down and you see that that this is the
down and you see that that this is the plant grows which influenced the stone
plant grows which influenced the stone
plant grows which influenced the stone and and this is like like wings like
and and this is like like wings like
and and this is like like wings like fingers which grows towards light it’s
fingers which grows towards light it’s
fingers which grows towards light it’s not like a normal rock formation so that
not like a normal rock formation so that
not like a normal rock formation so that was pretty beautiful and it’s always
was pretty beautiful and it’s always
was pretty beautiful and it’s always like where water comes down where the
like where water comes down where the
like where water comes down where the plants can get the calcite from and then
plants can get the calcite from and then
plants can get the calcite from and then they grow against the light and you have
they grow against the light and you have
they grow against the light and you have really strange formations that is the
really strange formations that is the
really strange formations that is the view from above and you look down in a
view from above and you look down in a
view from above and you look down in a huge gallery that galleries maybe 300
huge gallery that galleries maybe 300
huge gallery that galleries maybe 300 feet high yeah these dimensions are
feet high yeah these dimensions are
feet high yeah these dimensions are exceptional and just to light it it’s
exceptional and just to light it it’s
exceptional and just to light it it’s also a challenge and you have this big
also a challenge and you have this big
also a challenge and you have this big Gower’s in the front and and then you
Gower’s in the front and and then you
Gower’s in the front and and then you have this crazy balconies in this shaft
have this crazy balconies in this shaft
have this crazy balconies in this shaft so these plates they were like six
so these plates they were like six
so these plates they were like six meters that’s maybe 18 feet 20 feet into
meters that’s maybe 18 feet 20 feet into
meters that’s maybe 18 feet 20 feet into into the into the room so these are also
into the into the room so these are also
into the into the room so these are also kind of growing rocks and and all Fano
kind of growing rocks and and all Fano
kind of growing rocks and and all Fano means due to the phyto cost and then we
means due to the phyto cost and then we
means due to the phyto cost and then we we witnessed a thunderstorm going over
we witnessed a thunderstorm going over
we witnessed a thunderstorm going over us and it rumbled and it echoed and
us and it rumbled and it echoed and
us and it rumbled and it echoed and suddenly you hear splashing and rumbling
suddenly you hear splashing and rumbling
suddenly you hear splashing and rumbling and water
and water
and water like water filling pipes and everything
like water filling pipes and everything
like water filling pipes and everything sounded like in another dimension and
sounded like in another dimension and
sounded like in another dimension and suddenly this fighter cost things they
suddenly this fighter cost things they
suddenly this fighter cost things they spit water like yeah and waterfalls came
spit water like yeah and waterfalls came
spit water like yeah and waterfalls came out and I reacted fast to arrange for
out and I reacted fast to arrange for
out and I reacted fast to arrange for shots and who knows how long it takes
shots and who knows how long it takes
shots and who knows how long it takes but that was pretty amazing to find
but that was pretty amazing to find
but that was pretty amazing to find suddenly these waterfalls normally it
suddenly these waterfalls normally it
suddenly these waterfalls normally it should frighten you because I mean to
should frighten you because I mean to
should frighten you because I mean to have a water break in like this it’s
have a water break in like this it’s
have a water break in like this it’s almost or in a cave or always quite
almost or in a cave or always quite
almost or in a cave or always quite dangerous but this cave is so big that
dangerous but this cave is so big that
dangerous but this cave is so big that you don’t need to be afraid that the
you don’t need to be afraid that the
you don’t need to be afraid that the water can kind of close you in or that
water can kind of close you in or that
water can kind of close you in or that you might drown or whatever so was not
you might drown or whatever so was not
you might drown or whatever so was not the issue but it was overwhelming I mean
the issue but it was overwhelming I mean
the issue but it was overwhelming I mean you could imagine the noise I mean it
you could imagine the noise I mean it
you could imagine the noise I mean it was splashing it was roaring and it was
was splashing it was roaring and it was
was splashing it was roaring and it was yeah very loud difficult to communicate
yeah very loud difficult to communicate
yeah very loud difficult to communicate difficult to tell what what to do and
difficult to tell what what to do and
difficult to tell what what to do and how to light and whatever so it was a
how to light and whatever so it was a
how to light and whatever so it was a jump running jumping and fast reactions
jump running jumping and fast reactions
jump running jumping and fast reactions so and now you see how I deal with the
so and now you see how I deal with the
so and now you see how I deal with the light and I give you some different
light and I give you some different
light and I give you some different ideas how this giant phyto cast how I
ideas how this giant phyto cast how I
ideas how this giant phyto cast how I looked like in different lighted
looked like in different lighted
looked like in different lighted situations so we have some underwater
situations so we have some underwater
situations so we have some underwater lights and above water light and and
lights and above water light and and
lights and above water light and and effectively it was a quite misty day as
effectively it was a quite misty day as
effectively it was a quite misty day as usual and quite tricky to get something
usual and quite tricky to get something
usual and quite tricky to get something and just that you get the relation on
and just that you get the relation on
and just that you get the relation on top of this huge Tower of phyto cost
top of this huge Tower of phyto cost
top of this huge Tower of phyto cost there standing a person it’s just
there standing a person it’s just
there standing a person it’s just enormous as always always incredible to
enormous as always always incredible to
enormous as always always incredible to realize these dimensions you know and
realize these dimensions you know and
realize these dimensions you know and then we are walking through that gallery
then we are walking through that gallery
then we are walking through that gallery and we coming into this dim range of the
and we coming into this dim range of the
and we coming into this dim range of the next of the next door line which is
next of the next door line which is
next of the next door line which is called Garden of Eden
called Garden of Eden
called Garden of Eden and also there we can see this low-light
and also there we can see this low-light
and also there we can see this low-light formations with this vitacost formations
formations with this vitacost formations
formations with this vitacost formations where some mosses and whatever grow
where some mosses and whatever grow
where some mosses and whatever grow against the light
against the light
against the light yeah very beautiful and the further you
yeah very beautiful and the further you
yeah very beautiful and the further you get into that dole line the crazy of
get into that dole line the crazy of
get into that dole line the crazy of these shapes get and here we see again
these shapes get and here we see again
these shapes get and here we see again some microorganisms forming and growing
some microorganisms forming and growing
some microorganisms forming and growing towards the light
towards the light
towards the light here we see this whitish areas that is
here we see this whitish areas that is
here we see this whitish areas that is where the microorganisms grow against
where the microorganisms grow against
where the microorganisms grow against the light and that’s the natural light
the light and that’s the natural light
the light and that’s the natural light and then I I front lit the same
and then I I front lit the same
and then I I front lit the same situation and you see now where the
situation and you see now where the
situation and you see now where the chlorophyll is and where the receptive
chlorophyll is and where the receptive
chlorophyll is and where the receptive areas are for for photosynthesis here
areas are for for photosynthesis here
areas are for for photosynthesis here the same in a detail it looks like the
the same in a detail it looks like the
the same in a detail it looks like the surface of Mars
surface of Mars
surface of Mars it looks so extraterrestrial that this
it looks so extraterrestrial that this
it looks so extraterrestrial that this is done with natural light by the way
is done with natural light by the way
is done with natural light by the way and if I add front light it looks like
and if I add front light it looks like
and if I add front light it looks like that yeah it’s a really really crazy
that yeah it’s a really really crazy
that yeah it’s a really really crazy formation so I I love to explore this
formation so I I love to explore this
formation so I I love to explore this type of things you know area why I have
type of things you know area why I have
type of things you know area why I have never heard anything about it or seen
never heard anything about it or seen
never heard anything about it or seen anything about it and you stumble about
anything about it and you stumble about
anything about it and you stumble about this the beginning I couldn’t believe it
this the beginning I couldn’t believe it
this the beginning I couldn’t believe it I mean it was rock hard stem and there
I mean it was rock hard stem and there
I mean it was rock hard stem and there was this little fan on top and it looks
was this little fan on top and it looks
was this little fan on top and it looks like it’s growing on pavement it’s rock
like it’s growing on pavement it’s rock
like it’s growing on pavement it’s rock everything is rock the stem is rock and
everything is rock the stem is rock and
everything is rock the stem is rock and there is little green I mean it looks
there is little green I mean it looks
there is little green I mean it looks like fossils like you really like the
like fossils like you really like the
like fossils like you really like the Jurassic on but it’s green on top and
Jurassic on but it’s green on top and
Jurassic on but it’s green on top and it’s not petrified it’s living and
it’s not petrified it’s living and
it’s not petrified it’s living and obviously living very well there
yeah that’s that’s a relative to the
yeah that’s that’s a relative to the nettle to it’s a boutique ax which is
nettle to it’s a boutique ax which is
nettle to it’s a boutique ax which is kind of strange because it doesn’t look
kind of strange because it doesn’t look
kind of strange because it doesn’t look at all similar and then you have this
at all similar and then you have this
at all similar and then you have this communities so of in the phyto cars so
communities so of in the phyto cars so
communities so of in the phyto cars so all these different colors are light
all these different colors are light
all these different colors are light green dark green
green dark green
green dark green redish that is all related to a
redish that is all related to a
redish that is all related to a different micro organism and it would be
different micro organism and it would be
different micro organism and it would be really nice to do a biological research
really nice to do a biological research
really nice to do a biological research to determine what kind of organisms are
to determine what kind of organisms are
to determine what kind of organisms are able to capable to do that and maybe it
able to capable to do that and maybe it
able to capable to do that and maybe it would be interesting for science because
would be interesting for science because
would be interesting for science because maybe they are very light receptive and
maybe they are very light receptive and
maybe they are very light receptive and who knows what you can I don’t know
who knows what you can I don’t know
who knows what you can I don’t know couldn’t can use that so it would be
couldn’t can use that so it would be
couldn’t can use that so it would be really nice to to do some more
really nice to to do some more
really nice to to do some more exploration there and this is how Garden
exploration there and this is how Garden
exploration there and this is how Garden of edom looks like so we have a forest
of edom looks like so we have a forest
of edom looks like so we have a forest inside the cave which is incredible and
inside the cave which is incredible and
inside the cave which is incredible and we have this you try to cost yeah
we have this you try to cost yeah
we have this you try to cost yeah stalagmites in front and then a jungle
stalagmites in front and then a jungle
stalagmites in front and then a jungle it is kind of strange that we had a
it is kind of strange that we had a
it is kind of strange that we had a botanist with us and he looked for maybe
botanist with us and he looked for maybe
botanist with us and he looked for maybe new plants he couldn’t find any but
new plants he couldn’t find any but
new plants he couldn’t find any but every every plan is kind of informed in
every every plan is kind of informed in
every every plan is kind of informed in a different way so that’s that’s him
a different way so that’s that’s him
a different way so that’s that’s him researching the plants and especially
researching the plants and especially
researching the plants and especially the trees they grow slim they don’t have
the trees they grow slim they don’t have
the trees they grow slim they don’t have much light like above and they are tall
much light like above and they are tall
much light like above and they are tall maybe 100 feet tall but very slim and
maybe 100 feet tall but very slim and
maybe 100 feet tall but very slim and and tender and it’s it’s a really well
and tender and it’s it’s a really well
and tender and it’s it’s a really well interesting environment which is kind of
interesting environment which is kind of
interesting environment which is kind of different so they call it morphological
different so they call it morphological
different so they call it morphological plasticity or phenotypic plasticity that
plasticity or phenotypic plasticity that
plasticity or phenotypic plasticity that these plants shape different so it’s not
these plants shape different so it’s not
these plants shape different so it’s not genetically and this is a little
genetically and this is a little
genetically and this is a little impactions with a little fruit fly on it
impactions with a little fruit fly on it
impactions with a little fruit fly on it so even you find even flowers there it
so even you find even flowers there it
so even you find even flowers there it was really overwhelming experience to
was really overwhelming experience to
was really overwhelming experience to see that and to live in that time and
see that and to live in that time and
see that and to live in that time and and also the way back there I mean when
and also the way back there I mean when
and also the way back there I mean when it when it was night I mean we hear this
it when it was night I mean we hear this
it when it was night I mean we hear this kind of strange noises it was a big flat
kind of strange noises it was a big flat
kind of strange noises it was a big flat and it was echoing everywhere it was
and it was echoing everywhere it was
and it was echoing everywhere it was really loud for her we couldn’t imagine
really loud for her we couldn’t imagine
really loud for her we couldn’t imagine what it is I mean we would have thought
what it is I mean we would have thought
what it is I mean we would have thought it’s maybe a pterodactyl is like a
it’s maybe a pterodactyl is like a
it’s maybe a pterodactyl is like a flying sorrows or something like that
flying sorrows or something like that
flying sorrows or something like that but then we we thought maybe it’s a big
but then we we thought maybe it’s a big
but then we we thought maybe it’s a big old but we never saw it we always
old but we never saw it we always
old but we never saw it we always listened to it and it sounded so loud
listened to it and it sounded so loud
listened to it and it sounded so loud and so well you could imagine anything
and so well you could imagine anything
and so well you could imagine anything to that so it was a very very very weird
to that so it was a very very very weird
to that so it was a very very very weird environment and you yeah you are
environment and you yeah you are
environment and you yeah you are yeah to me it was really yeah incredible
yeah to me it was really yeah incredible
yeah to me it was really yeah incredible to witness that
the situation there in this shaft was
the situation there in this shaft was extraordinary sunlight was hitting the
extraordinary sunlight was hitting the
extraordinary sunlight was hitting the ground it was humid and whole clouds
ground it was humid and whole clouds
ground it was humid and whole clouds were rising and it was like climbing
were rising and it was like climbing
were rising and it was like climbing through the skies climbing through the
through the skies climbing through the
through the skies climbing through the heaven and you are in midst of these
heaven and you are in midst of these
heaven and you are in midst of these cloud formations that was really
cloud formations that was really
cloud formations that was really something very very special and amazing
something very very special and amazing
something very very special and amazing to me I mean you’re like in midst well
to me I mean you’re like in midst well
to me I mean you’re like in midst well in midst the heaven captured in a cave
in midst the heaven captured in a cave
in midst the heaven captured in a cave so this was really unusual to just enjoy
so this was really unusual to just enjoy
so this was really unusual to just enjoy and this is how you feel after a trip
and this is how you feel after a trip
and this is how you feel after a trip like this
like this
like this I mean you are worn out and everyone is
I mean you are worn out and everyone is
I mean you are worn out and everyone is kind of done and and and these are the
kind of done and and and these are the
kind of done and and and these are the real stars of our expedition the porters
real stars of our expedition the porters
real stars of our expedition the porters they were amazing and without them it
they were amazing and without them it
they were amazing and without them it would have been impossible and there is
would have been impossible and there is
would have been impossible and there is a big thanks to them big thanks to
a big thanks to them big thanks to
a big thanks to them big thanks to National Geographic vixx thanks to the
National Geographic vixx thanks to the
National Geographic vixx thanks to the British cave Research Association and
British cave Research Association and
British cave Research Association and all the team thank you very much to you
all the team thank you very much to you
all the team thank you very much to you as well
”
Be First to Comment