Today was double adventure day. After our typical breakfast of yogurt, blueberries (they're in season) and muesli (granola), we hit the road for Waitomo and the glow worm caves. We started with a 2-hour tour in the Raukuri cave. We had a very knowledgeable guide. Bethany, a geology graduate from Oregon, moved to New Zealand for the caving. She is very passionate about geology and caves. We descended about 60m into the earth where it is very dark and damp (which I will take over hot and damp any day). The stalagmites, stalactites, and columns were fascinating. Below us a river flowed (we had hoped to raft the river but it was sold out today) and we could hear a waterfall. Bethany told us all about the glow worms which are really maggots. The glow comes from their poo. But as Bethany said, who wants to visit the pooping maggot caves. Glow worms sound much more cuddly. The worms flicker as tiny blue-green dots on the cave ceiling and it is pretty cool looking.
We also toured a second cave of glow worms, but it was more crowded and commercial. The one cool part about it though was a boat ride at the end. The water was black and the glow worms twinkled all over the cave before we exited into the daylight.
We stopped in Otorohanga for lunch at Ronnie's cafe. There are lots of cafes like this with self serve cases of pastries, sandwiches, meat pies and soup. We got a steak pie, butter chicken pie, apple turnover, slice of carrot cake (I think), and two drinks for $20 NZD or about $14 USD.
In the late afternoon, we arrived at the Matamata Central Motel. Once again, not super impressive from the outside, but really nice accommodations on the inside. Most of the places we've stayed include an electric water pot, coffee, tea and a coffee plunger (coffee press).
We booked the Hobbiton movie set tour and dinner a few months in advance. In fact this is the only adventure we committed to prior to arriving. The tour was fantastic. There is only one bus for the evening tour whereas there are 10+ on the set during the day. We had the whole place to ourselves with William and Mike as guides. They pointed out all the interesting movie relations and trivia. The farm the set it built on is lush, green and beautiful. We walked along and saw all the hobbit holes and took a zillion pictures. I think the pictures almost look fake because the scenery is so beautiful.
After our scenic walk, we stopped at the Green Dragon Inn. We were served a mug of stout (choices also included cider, ginger beer and ale) and we enjoyed a view of the lake (complete with a pair of black swans) as the sun began to set. There was a lot of build up and anticipation for dinner. The curtains were thrown back on the dining room to reveal three large tables heaped with bowls and platters of delicious food: smoked bacon hocks, sausages, roast chicken, stew, beef patties, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, stuffed squash, salad, chutney and bread. Maybe there was more but that's what I can remember. Everyone gorged themselves before the plates were cleared and dessert was laid. Pavlova with fresh fruit, poached pears with honey, baked apples, fig muffins, brownies (did hobbits eat brownies?) and spiced yogurt.
After the feast, it was definitely time for a walk, so we strolled back through the set to see the hobbit holes lit up at night. There was also a bit of dancing on the party grounds, but that's Shawn's story to tell...
We also toured a second cave of glow worms, but it was more crowded and commercial. The one cool part about it though was a boat ride at the end. The water was black and the glow worms twinkled all over the cave before we exited into the daylight.
We stopped in Otorohanga for lunch at Ronnie's cafe. There are lots of cafes like this with self serve cases of pastries, sandwiches, meat pies and soup. We got a steak pie, butter chicken pie, apple turnover, slice of carrot cake (I think), and two drinks for $20 NZD or about $14 USD.
In the late afternoon, we arrived at the Matamata Central Motel. Once again, not super impressive from the outside, but really nice accommodations on the inside. Most of the places we've stayed include an electric water pot, coffee, tea and a coffee plunger (coffee press).
We booked the Hobbiton movie set tour and dinner a few months in advance. In fact this is the only adventure we committed to prior to arriving. The tour was fantastic. There is only one bus for the evening tour whereas there are 10+ on the set during the day. We had the whole place to ourselves with William and Mike as guides. They pointed out all the interesting movie relations and trivia. The farm the set it built on is lush, green and beautiful. We walked along and saw all the hobbit holes and took a zillion pictures. I think the pictures almost look fake because the scenery is so beautiful.
After our scenic walk, we stopped at the Green Dragon Inn. We were served a mug of stout (choices also included cider, ginger beer and ale) and we enjoyed a view of the lake (complete with a pair of black swans) as the sun began to set. There was a lot of build up and anticipation for dinner. The curtains were thrown back on the dining room to reveal three large tables heaped with bowls and platters of delicious food: smoked bacon hocks, sausages, roast chicken, stew, beef patties, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, stuffed squash, salad, chutney and bread. Maybe there was more but that's what I can remember. Everyone gorged themselves before the plates were cleared and dessert was laid. Pavlova with fresh fruit, poached pears with honey, baked apples, fig muffins, brownies (did hobbits eat brownies?) and spiced yogurt.
After the feast, it was definitely time for a walk, so we strolled back through the set to see the hobbit holes lit up at night. There was also a bit of dancing on the party grounds, but that's Shawn's story to tell...
Daily ratings:
Ronnie's Cafe - 2.5 Kiwis
Green Dragon Inn - 5 Kiwis
Hobbiton - 5 Kiwis
Matamata Motor Lodge - 4 Kiwis
Steps taken = 5,534 (half under ground and half in Hobbiton)
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