HOLIDAY PLACES TO GO

 

GASPAREE CAVES

 

Schools' Broadcasting Unit

Newsday

May 5th 1999

Page 6

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Gasparee Caves are located 'down the islands' on the island of Gaspar Grande or Gasparee as it is popularly called. The caves lie in the vicinity of Point Baleine at the western end of Gasparee. They are reached by walking for about 20 minutes from the jetty at Point Baleine. It is said that an old whale oil refinery was once situated at Point Baleine.

The caves are below ground. A long staircase provides entry to the bottom of the caves. The main cave contains a deep pool of seawater that seeps in through numerous cracks and crevices.

The caves are of limestone formation and have given rise to the formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Stalagmites are the columns, which rise from the floor of the caves. Stalactites are those which hang from the roof of the cave.

There are many different shapes of stalactites and stalagmites found in the Gasparee caves. Names like the Altar and the Virgin are given to some stalagmites and stalactites fund in the cave because of their peculiar shapes noted to resemble the shape of an altar, and someone standing up like the virgin. Dripping water from the limestone roof of the cave over the years is what gives shape to Stalagmites and Stalactites.

Bats are a common sight in the Gasparee caves today. It is said that many, many years ago, the oilbird also known as the Guacharo or Bird of Eternal Darkness made its home in the caves.

Today the oilbird is no longer a common sight found at the Gasparee Caves and oilbirds are now found at the Aripero Caves and the caves at Asa Wright Nature Centre located just off Arima and on the Blanchisseuse road leading to the remote and holiday village of Blanchisseuse.

 

SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP:

 

 

CURRICULUM AREAS/LEVELS:

Upper Primary and Post-Primary, Secondary up to 14 Plus, Adult Education Centres and Teachers' Colleges.

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