BLUE LAKE CAVE

Gruta do Lago Azul is a cave in the Bonito region of Brazil. Nothing special when
you look at it from the outside. However, get ready to be amazed to see a truly beautiful blue
lake in the cave.
If you usually see a beautiful lake at the foot of a mountain or on a plateau, then Gruta
do Lago Azul is different. There is a lake in the cave which is known to the local community
as the Blue Lake.
Gruta do Lago Azul is located about 20 km from the city of Bonito, Brazil. From the
CNN Travel site, Tuesday (10/6/2014) the lake in the cave is known as one of the largest
cave lakes in the world.
The Blue Lake in Gruta do Lago Azul (Gruta which in Portuguese is cave-red) is 100
meters deep from the mouth of the cave. Tourists who come can rent helmets and boots to
explore the inside and arrive in front of Blue Lake.
Once arrived at the lake, anyone would be amazed in disbelief. The lake water is
calm, blue like sea water and also clear. What a contrast to the view of the rocks, which look
beige, but instead become a very beautiful blend. Not to mention, the stalactites and stone
ornaments in the cave add to the beautiful scenery. Perfect!
Blue Lake water is up to 60 meters deep and researchers believe it originated from an
underground river. But until now, no researcher has been able to prove this truth and it is still
a mystery.
After investigating, Blue Lake was discovered by the Terena tribe, which is a local
tribe in 1922. After that, researchers from Franco-Brazilian came to Gruta do Lago Azul to
research it further in 1992.
The results of his research found a number of mammal fossils at the bottom of the
lake water, such as tiger fossils. It is estimated, mammals from these fossils lived in 6,000 to
10,000 years ago or during the Pleistocene geological period.
 Many travel agents offer trips to Gruta do Lago Azul with BRL (Brazilian Real) 45 or
around Rp. 238 thousand. But remember, tourists are prohibited from swimming into the lake
in order to protect its naturalness. The best time to come to Gruta do Lago Azul is during the
day, when sunlight enters through the roof of the cave and the blue lake is clearly visible.

RIDHO MUHAMMAD RIFKI

(9D)