Locals store their canoe in their cave home at Lonahan Beach
Teama Cave was not far away, 200m maybe. At the base of a tall cliff, this was the site of an underground river, with a clear stream flowing out of the cave rather fast. Local women were actively washing at the exit and kids were frolicking happily in the water. “As the story goes, we have a belief that there would be diamonds in the cave… That is why I accompany you to make sure you are not in search of anything!”. Geologically speaking, there is no way that one would find diamonds in a limestone environment. People love to make up stories to give value to a place. I took off my shoes to cross the stream, then walked
barefoot on rather sharp coral limestone. We negotiated the first bend of the river to the left, then right, before I realised further progression
was impossible as a deep lake laid ahead. “We normally use a small outrigger canoe to paddle further in,” explained Stanley. The river continued for
100m before reaching a muddy bank. The tunnel went on into the darkness beyond, supposedly on solid ground. I would have to come
Women do their washing in the underground river that flows from Teama Cave
Women wash clothes in the river that flows from Teama Cave
VOLUME 39 2024
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