Fireflies and Hot Chocolate

Starting early with a cold shower and a hot tea... And finally my beloved avocado bread with cheese!
A 45-minute drive and a coffee later, we have arrived at the Glowworm Caves, Waitomo Glowworm Caves. With a great-granddaughter of the Maori, who discovered and explored this cave, we venture into the cave with lots of information about the fireflies, stalactites, and stalagmites.
At the bottom of the cave, a river flows along, on which we ride a boat like under the dreamy starry sky (fireflies on the ceiling), in complete silence, to the outside.
Also included for us is another cave. We highly recommend visiting Waitomo!

But now, quickly into the car and another 2-hour drive to Te Puia. In Te Puia, we are guided by a man who grew up in the Maori village (we do not have access to the village). He takes us past the meter-high geysers spitting water and steam and the stinking mud pool. No, you cannot bathe in it, you would get stuck like quicksand and burn. Ouch. He explains to us that the Maori use the hot springs as heating, steam and water baths for cooking, and the less hot springs for bathing.
After that, a Haka (war dance) is performed for us, and we have a huge buffet dinner with the best seafood I have ever tasted! The meat and potatoes were cooked traditionally in a fire pit, giving them a slightly smoky flavor. Unfortunately, there is nothing to try that was cooked in the springs. I asked why, and I was told that the food would taste like sulfur. (We probably wouldn't eat that anymore)
After dessert, we return to the geysers where we drink delicious hot chocolate on the naturally heated stones. It's delightful!
After that, we have to drive back to our campsite. Today we chose a more expensive one where there are hot showers!