Hobbiton Movie Set as its name suggests, was the filming location for the movie franchises: Hobbiton and The Lord of The Ring. It was said to be the chosen farm out of the entire North Island, owned by The Alexander family during the helicopter scouting by the production team. It was built according to the fiction books with great details and accuracy. The admission fee per person at that time was 84 NZD, inclusive of a 2 hours guided tour, photography opportunity and complimentary craft beer or ale at The Green Dragon Inn at the end of the tour. The bus will pick you up from the admission office to the designed film set and the guide will bring you around each section of Hobbiton, introducing each set along with some movie behind the scene stories.

Guess this Hobbit's occupation?

Complimentary ale

   I find Hobbiton a very interesting attraction that every TLOTR fan should come. The price can be a little steep but quite worth it i would say. You get to enjoy the pleasant nature that NZ has to offered and the medieval fictional world that we grow up reading. Definitely a childhood dream comes true. The only downside was the time limit of 2 hours, making every photo opportunity a tad bit rush.

Homemade seafood pasta

Post hiking breakfast with homemade scones and coffee at a nearby farm house

   Next up, we continued our journey down south towards the valley of geothermal wonders--Rotorua. It was well known for its suphuric hot spring as Rotorua is seated on an unstable thermal ground, such as the Blue Lakes. We skipped the pools and went to the famous Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest) first, saving the best for the last.



   The forest reservation was named as Redwoods mainly due to the main occupants of Californian Pine Tree that carries a distinctive reddish wood bulk. It was said that the NZ brought in this species of pine tree from California state in the US for its forest reservation. During the war era of NZ, this piece of forest land was severely damaged and the government would like to preserve its original look by planting these pine trees here. Therefore, some 40 years later, we are able to enjoy this piece of precious nature.






 
   The Redwoods has several routes but we only managed to cover the second shortest one due to time constraing. Nevertheless, it was enough to impress us with its unique flora and fauna. Next up, we went for a geothermal spa experience in Polynesian Spa. We rented a private spa room for our family, enjoy a good soak of sulphuric water before headed to dinner.

Thermal pools everywhere

    That's all for Hobbiton and Rotorua write up. I truly miss travelling so much, especially nature and time spent with family. We are working hard and praying faithfully everyday for this pandemic to be over so that we can go back to our families and daily routine. I urge the public to stay home, stay safe and do not lie about your symptoms and contact history. We work hard for the society but please play your part, that is the least that you can do as a society member. To a better world and Covid-19-free tomorrow! xoxo

More information~

• Hobbiton Movie Set: https://www.hobbitontours.com/
• Redwoods Rotorua: https://redwoods.co.nz/
• Polynesian Spa: https://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/