One last pose before we head back underground.

Lunch is prepared and served on top of an inverted kayak. Small fish, close relatives to the pirhana, are everywhere and swarm at our legs. Apparently they only nibble at dead skin which does not hurt. After lunch, we throw some meat into the water and they devour it. I decide to spend the rest of the time on shore or in the kayak.

At lunchtime we stop at a very interesting sink hole and Kyle does some exploration.

I stop often to swing my kayak around for a shot of Kyle’s raft. Several water fights errupt on this journey and it is always advisable to know if any vessel is sneaking up on you.

Occassional sink hole openings allow us to rest for a few minutes and soak up some sunshine.

Minding your head is essential if you wish to remain conscious to enjoy the bats swooping through the caves.

One last safety review before we enter the cave.

The next several miles of paddling will be underground with the exception of a 0.3 mile portage which will be one of the most strenuous challenges of the entire week.

Kyle looks a little nervous as we put ashore to to don headlamps and inspect the very low entrance to the first cave.

As we approach the first cave, Kyle switches into one of the rafts and I switch into the kayak.

Winding through the jungle on the Caves Branch River.

Kyle opts for one of the kayaks.

The group prepares to set out with two 5-person rafts and 3 one-man kayaks. We have about one hour of paddling before we reach the cave entrance.

Day two and we gear up for underground rafting and kayaking.