Ramblings of a Clueless Student

The waves crash in the side of the tiny passenger boat as we rise and fall across the ocean. All I can see if the blue of the ocean and the sky, so pure I feel as if I were crossing a liquid sapphire. The wind whips through my hair and spray hits my face. The other passengers have the same look as I do; excitement and fear. We all know why we are here, we’re waiting to see the beauty we’ve read about, but the tiny boat doesn’t feel like it will make it. I turn to scan the coast line, seeing only green topped cliff faces which seem to force their way from the deep depths of the sea. It feels like I am the first person to sail across the ocean.

Then I see it; secret stairs, hand carved into the steep rock face, twist down the cliff to meet us with a tiny cave at the base. The boat rocks and struggles to dock against the minute entrance at the base of the steps; it kicks and tries to throw us out, Neptune has heard us coming.

Neptune’s Grotto; the ancient God’s lair. I step past the columns formed from stalagmites and stalactites which have collided and are intertwined with each other, marking out a narrow path which winds into the darkness. I am momentarily blinded as my eyes force themselves to adapt. As I reopen them it’s like I’ve been thrown into a dream world.

There’s an atmosphere of mystery as I file in behind a curious mix of travellers, I feel as if I’ve been summoned to Mount Olympus; snaking round beautiful and smooth rock formations, passing serene pools of crystal clear water. This place is the definition of tranquillity. The lights play on the smooth surface of the ghostly white rock, making the tiny crystals shimmer. It is certainly something from out of this world. It’s incredible that nature was responsible for this masterpiece. It’s perfect.

It is hard to tear my eyes away from the pillars which make this place seem even more like a temple; they glisten and entice me to stay. The stalactites drip from the ceiling like frozen rain, forever suspended in time. I think that’s the best way to sum up this beautiful cavern; it’s timeless and will forever stay with me. It touched my heart.

Before I step back onto the boat, I stand there with the sunlight on my back, looking into the darkness, hearing the sea break against the cliff allowing for calm to spread through my body. This is how it must have felt to be the first fisherman who discovered this over 300 years ago. It’s hauntingly beautiful.