Weta workshop!!

We definitely saved the best for last. In our last day here we went to Weta workshop. For those who don’t know this where all the props, costumes, miniatures, and special effects for the movies were done. We went to a coffee shop for breakfast where and realized that working at weta was pretty common place in that neighborhood. Not surprisingly my kiddo now has some very real life goals. (not to mention project ideas)

Linnaea got a troll hug:

Theoden’s armor… The real deal!

And a few other unsavory characters were about, too:

They take their threats seriously here:

We saw and even got to handle some of the original weapons made for the Lord of the rings, the Hobbit, Narnia, and many more. Once we got beyond the sculptures in the entry, however, we weren’t allowed to take pictures.

End we end this trip with a wizard. It certainly has been a magical experience.

The last few places

We spent some of the last few days chasing down filming locations around Wellington. It’s been a bit like a giant treasure hunt, and for the first time this trip we encountered others doing the same thing. Our first stop was Rivendell. (Aka kaitoke regional Park). Where we spent the night. (we camped in Rivendell!)

Next stop was some of the Isengard locations.

Next stop: the Anduin River

Last stop: Victoria Park where many of the Shore scenes were filmed.

A lonely hobbit hid off the road here

And here relaxed in a tree.

We even thought we saw a Nazgul outlined in the sky, but we were running too hard to be sure!

Wellington

We spent some time in Wellington where we found a bike powered bookmobile

And caught up with friends we hadn’t seen in years.

The Pelennor Fields and Edoras

Our last two days on the South Island were spent geeking out at two rather unlikely locations significant for the movie. The first was a large farm near the town of Twizel where we saw the locations of many of the Pelennor Fields scent. Our guide, Dawn had been an extra in the Hobbit and was as in love with the movies as we were. It was a great day.

One of the advantages of the tour (other than access to private land) is that Dawn new exactly where different shots had been taken and had stills to go with it.

And she had helmets and banners and swords!

Then we went to Laketown (Lake Pukaki)

Our last south island stop was Mt Sunday (Edoras from the movies). It’s at a remote sheep station that is beautiful in a desolate kind of way.

We did a tour there too because I mistakenly thought that we had to to access the mountain. The tour turned out to be a colossal waste of money. Nonetheless, Eowyn got to was a sword around on the top of Edoras which was pretty great.

We let the tour go back to civilization while we spent the night at nearby Mt Potts station. Watching the sun set over this landscape, and then watching it rise again as I did an early morning run was one of the highlights of the trip for me

Aoraki Mt. Cook national park

We spent the last two nights camped at a campground in Aoraki Mt Cook national park.

The view from our tent was truly spectacular. Being surrounded by glaciated peaks (the tallest in the southern hemisphere we were told) is not like being at home!

Sunrise over Mt Sefton:

On our full day there, Linnaea and I hiked up to Sealy tarns. It was beautiful, with panoramic views the whole way. On the map, it looked like a relatively short hike that gained about 500 meters of elevation. The only problem was that almost all of the 500 meters was in the form of over 2000 wooden stairs, which ended up being quite grueling!

A rest part way up:

The top, with Mt Cook in the background.

For Lord of the Rings fanatics only

Today we spent chasing various more and less obscure movie locations. It’s as good a reason as any to get off the beaten track and see some things that we would otherwise miss!

Our first stop was Ithilien (aka 12 mile Delta just outside of Queenstown)

We found a ranger:

But no coney’s for the stewpot.

Next we went to the Dimrill Dale. (Lake Alta at the Remarkables ski area)

Next… On to the Ford of Bruinen ( fortunately there were no Nazgul to be seen)

Finally, we manged to warn Isildur about the orcs, so this path was empty.

Those last two are from a park in Arrowtown, for those who are interested in places on this planet!

Horseback riding in Isengard

On the spur of the moment yesterday, we opted to do some horseback riding. The horses were lovely (unlike the ones we rode last summer in glacier) and our guide, upon seeing that there were only four of us and that none of is seemed likely to fall off our mounts, took us an unscheduled off trail meander through the braided streams of the lower Dart River. I think it was the most wonderful experience we’ve had here yet.

Afterwards, I went for a quick jaunt on my own up Mt. Judah. (They like their Bible names here. Earlier on the day we crossed the River Jordan to reach the Paradise valley!)

Middle Earth!!

I’m pretty sure we’ve finally found middle Earth. We spent the last two nights at an amazing hostel in the tiny hamlet of Kinloch. (known to some as the start of the routeburn track, but for us, it is the Vale of isengard)

Yesterday, we hiked up a small trail called the glacier burn track

Today, we jet boated,and then paddled on the Dart River.

Tongariro crossing aka Mount Doom and a few other things

Yesterday we completed the 12 mile Tongariro Crossing… Apparently one of the world’s most popular hikes. It was a stunning point to point that took us around the volcanically blasted landscape of Mt. Ngauruhoe aka Mt. Doom. It was pretty easy to imagine Sam and frodo struggling up the mountain slopes… Except for the little fact that there were over a thousand other people up there with us.

Above is the view from our campground.

Sunrise as we start hiking

If you carry the ring anywhere close to Mt Doom you have to at least try to destroy evil forever! Ok so the ring was not actually dropped. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the high point of the hike.

Today we spent a very enjoyable time scrambling over lots of rocks ( in the Emyn Muil) and discovering a not so forbidden pool.

Hobbiton

Today we went to Hobbiton. I know it’s just a movie set, but it felt extraordinarily like coming home. I confirmed for myself what Linnaea has told me for a lot, that I am, in my heart, just a simple Hobbit.

“Where my heart truly lies is in peace and quiet and good tilled earth”