My husband owns a large, talking Gandalf figurine from the Lord of the Rings movie series. It says lines from the movie (in the voice of Ian McKellan of course) like "You ... shall not ... paaaassss!"
It's terrifying for a toddler (and actually a little intimidating to me, as well). As awesome and creepy as it is, looking at the figurine reminds me of how much I wish I could take a trip to New Zealand to visit those gorgeous locations from the films. There are such diverse landscapes! So, in honor of scary figurine Gandalf, today I choose
It's terrifying for a toddler (and actually a little intimidating to me, as well). As awesome and creepy as it is, looking at the figurine reminds me of how much I wish I could take a trip to New Zealand to visit those gorgeous locations from the films. There are such diverse landscapes! So, in honor of scary figurine Gandalf, today I choose
Why I imagine I would go to New Zealand:
I think I want to go to New Zealand more than one time. I want to go on a Lord of the Rings tour, but I also would love to take a look at the cities and the beaches. I would like to get a feel for the place that spawned Flight of the Conchords. Love them! Maybe they would want to join me on my trip. Wishful vacationing, indeed!
On this imaginary adventure, I choose to travel with Red Carpet Tours for a full-on, crazy-geeky, LOTR tour-stravaganza. Or something. Red Carpet offers a 12-day tour, starting in Auckland and ending on the south island. The tour includes stops in Hobbiton, Weta workshop, past the film studio, all the way to the River Anduin. I like that they also include visits to natural wonders and tourist attractions which are not included in the movies. This tour actually sounds like a good way to experience the highlights of outdoor New Zealand in one trip.
New Zealand is an island country in the south Pacific. Originally settled by Polynesians, the population is now mainly of European descent. Maori people make up the largest minority group in the country. New Zealand and Australia are both at such a great distance from other bodies of land that they have quite a unique set of animals and plants, and I would be very interested in seeing some of those interesting species.
I think I want to go to New Zealand more than one time. I want to go on a Lord of the Rings tour, but I also would love to take a look at the cities and the beaches. I would like to get a feel for the place that spawned Flight of the Conchords. Love them! Maybe they would want to join me on my trip. Wishful vacationing, indeed!
On this imaginary adventure, I choose to travel with Red Carpet Tours for a full-on, crazy-geeky, LOTR tour-stravaganza. Or something. Red Carpet offers a 12-day tour, starting in Auckland and ending on the south island. The tour includes stops in Hobbiton, Weta workshop, past the film studio, all the way to the River Anduin. I like that they also include visits to natural wonders and tourist attractions which are not included in the movies. This tour actually sounds like a good way to experience the highlights of outdoor New Zealand in one trip.
Image from here.
New Zealand is an island country in the south Pacific. Originally settled by Polynesians, the population is now mainly of European descent. Maori people make up the largest minority group in the country. New Zealand and Australia are both at such a great distance from other bodies of land that they have quite a unique set of animals and plants, and I would be very interested in seeing some of those interesting species.
Since this is a 12-day tour of the whole country, there are many hotels on the agenda. Exciting! I'll mention here a couple that sound cool.
In Ruapehu, I would stay at the Powderhorn Chateau, where actors from the film stayed. It looks really cute! I love the wooden walls and ceilings in the guest rooms.
Image from here.
In Te Anau, I would stay at Distinction Luxmore Hotel. The hotel looks nice and the surrounding scenery is absolutely incredible. Te Anau is adjacent to Fiordland National Park. Check it!
What I imagine I would eat:
Red Carpet Tours schedules a traditional Maori hangi meal on one of the first nights. A hangi is an underground pit oven that is used to cook many traditional dishes. Chicken, fish and root vegetables would almost certainly be included in the bounty. The food takes 3-4 hours to cook, which makes it tender and moist, with an earthy aroma. That sounds amazing!
Photo by Einalem, Wikimedia Commons
On the last night of the tour, the group takes a gondola ride up to Bob's peak, where there is a restaurant called Skyline. They have a huge buffet of New Zealand food, with lots of seafood. Yum! The spread includes salmon, roasted meats, various curries and salads, and a dessert of Kiwifruit Pavlova. I would love this dinner, and the view can't be beat!
What I imagine I would do as a fun activity:
Where do I begin!? In addition to all of the movie location sight-seeing and the geeky stops at the studio and Weta workshop, there are many chances on the agenda to explore New Zealand's wild side. I would love to visit the Rotorua Polynesian Spa Pools, one of Conde Nast's top 10 natural spas.
There are small waterfalls and pools of varying temperatures, and the spa is surrounded by native plants. It sounds like it would be the perfect antidote to all of the hiking I would experience on this trip!
Image from here.
An optional excursion toward the end of the trip takes travelers to the glowworm caves in Te Anau. At evening time, a boat takes groups over to the cave's entrance, and then the guides row a small boat through the cave. In pitch blackness, the glowworms can be seen all over the cave walls. This adventure sounds really magical to me!
Image from here.
New Zealand is definitely on my short list of top destinations. I hope I get to take an amazing vacation there one day. Have you been? What locations are on your short list?
Happy travels!
xoxo - Erika
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