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T&KonTour
Tuesday 5 April, Hobbiton and Rotorua
For the past decade or so, no holiday to the "Land of the Long White Cloud" has been complete without paying homage to the cinematic phenomenon that is The Lord of the Rings. We decide to visit the movie set location for Hobbiton, the home of the Hobbits. An hour drive west of Tauranga, over the Kaimai Range, is the town of Matamata and a few kilometres southeast, along Buckland Road is the farm where all the exterior scenes were shot. All the "Hobbit Holes" have been retained and maintained by the Alexander Family who own the farm. A very professional tourist attraction, we were guided by Alice around the site, and treated to a drink at the Green Dragon Pub. Colin and Tony both sampled the unique Hobbit ale and were sufficiently impressed to buy large 1 litre bottles of same for later consumption.
Rotorua is only an hour south of Hobbiton so we have lunch in "Smelly Town", book a Maori Experience and Hangi Dinner, and then register at the Palm Court Motel. Our host is very genial and helpful, giving us many options for the next day and a half we have around the town.
Wednesday 6 April, Rotorua Exploration
We re-booked our "Maori Experience" through our motel for a 15% discount, and also received 10% discount vouchers for the Rotorua Museum. We go into town for coffee, about 1km, and then head off southeast for 20 minutes to Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland. On the way we stop for a quick walk to a steaming cliff and then a big pool full of bubbling mud. Lovely! Colin & Suz went for a walk around the many geothermal features but as Kathy & Tony had seen it all before, they had coffee and looked around the shop.
Back to Rotorua for a sandwich and then the museum, which is developed in the former Victorian Spa. A spectacular building with the remains of the old spa baths and equipment, some of which looked like the House of Horrors torture chamber. An impressive presentation of Maori history and culture. We are back at the Palm Court motel in time for the 4.45pm pick-up for the bus trip to the Mitai Maori Village. Three groups run similar experiences in Rotorua but this one was said to be more down to earth and with a focus on teaching about the culture.
We learn about how the Maori made canoes and then see our Hangi food unwrapped. Next stop we see a warrior canoe being paddled by, yes, Maori warriors. A big canoe in a small stream was a bit surreal, but we got the idea. The main event was a show of traditional skills, fighting, an explanation of the tattoos, dancing and singing. Of course we had to be properly introduced first and represented by our Chief, from the USA as it turns out. Plenty of colour, movement and silly faces, but all with good nature and a few jokes.
By now the food had been cut up and presented on a buffet. The traditional roast meats were accompanied by potato and sweet potato. This was the traditional part and had a delicious smoky flavour. To cater for tourist tastes however, a selection of other vegetables and deserts were available. There was a cash bar for wine, beer etc.
After the meal we were taken on a short bush walk to spotlight native vegetation, including the national emblem, the silver fern. We see glow worms and the village's sacred pool which produces 17 megalitres of drinkable cold spring water each day. We had all been drinking it during the meal, it was very good.
For the past decade or so, no holiday to the "Land of the Long White Cloud" has been complete without paying homage to the cinematic phenomenon that is The Lord of the Rings. We decide to visit the movie set location for Hobbiton, the home of the Hobbits. An hour drive west of Tauranga, over the Kaimai Range, is the town of Matamata and a few kilometres southeast, along Buckland Road is the farm where all the exterior scenes were shot. All the "Hobbit Holes" have been retained and maintained by the Alexander Family who own the farm. A very professional tourist attraction, we were guided by Alice around the site, and treated to a drink at the Green Dragon Pub. Colin and Tony both sampled the unique Hobbit ale and were sufficiently impressed to buy large 1 litre bottles of same for later consumption.
Rotorua is only an hour south of Hobbiton so we have lunch in "Smelly Town", book a Maori Experience and Hangi Dinner, and then register at the Palm Court Motel. Our host is very genial and helpful, giving us many options for the next day and a half we have around the town.
Wednesday 6 April, Rotorua Exploration
We re-booked our "Maori Experience" through our motel for a 15% discount, and also received 10% discount vouchers for the Rotorua Museum. We go into town for coffee, about 1km, and then head off southeast for 20 minutes to Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland. On the way we stop for a quick walk to a steaming cliff and then a big pool full of bubbling mud. Lovely! Colin & Suz went for a walk around the many geothermal features but as Kathy & Tony had seen it all before, they had coffee and looked around the shop.
Back to Rotorua for a sandwich and then the museum, which is developed in the former Victorian Spa. A spectacular building with the remains of the old spa baths and equipment, some of which looked like the House of Horrors torture chamber. An impressive presentation of Maori history and culture. We are back at the Palm Court motel in time for the 4.45pm pick-up for the bus trip to the Mitai Maori Village. Three groups run similar experiences in Rotorua but this one was said to be more down to earth and with a focus on teaching about the culture.
We learn about how the Maori made canoes and then see our Hangi food unwrapped. Next stop we see a warrior canoe being paddled by, yes, Maori warriors. A big canoe in a small stream was a bit surreal, but we got the idea. The main event was a show of traditional skills, fighting, an explanation of the tattoos, dancing and singing. Of course we had to be properly introduced first and represented by our Chief, from the USA as it turns out. Plenty of colour, movement and silly faces, but all with good nature and a few jokes.
By now the food had been cut up and presented on a buffet. The traditional roast meats were accompanied by potato and sweet potato. This was the traditional part and had a delicious smoky flavour. To cater for tourist tastes however, a selection of other vegetables and deserts were available. There was a cash bar for wine, beer etc.
After the meal we were taken on a short bush walk to spotlight native vegetation, including the national emblem, the silver fern. We see glow worms and the village's sacred pool which produces 17 megalitres of drinkable cold spring water each day. We had all been drinking it during the meal, it was very good.
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