Blog Archives

MOUNT DOOM

3/30/2014

After three great days in Taupo and traveling around and about, we left the Chelmswood Hotel for our trip home. I insisted that there was only one more place to go on the way home, the Tongariro National Park. I just had to see that strange funnel-shaped mountain up close that we saw while traveling to Taupo and in the distance from our hotel room. Could it be - Mount Doom from LOTR?

My excitement builds.

On our way, we just had to stop to get this picture. We weren't sure what it was, but it looks like a volcano.

Of course, Brendan had to get a nice picture of his Mom when we stopped.

I had to take this gorgeous panorama that was so inspiring.

We approach and my excitement builds.

And there it is, MOUNT DOOM, or actually as it's known, Mount Ngauruhoe in the Tongariro National Park. This is the ACTIVE volcano that reportedly inspired Director Peter Jackson as the model for Mount Doom, home of the evil Sauron, and the end of the quest for the Hobbit, Frodo, who must journey to Mordor and throw The One Ring into the cracks of Mount Doom.

And,of course, the only way I can see Mount Doom in my mind's eye.

To the right of this iconic volcano is another active volcano, Mount Tongairo.

My last view of Mount Doom from the opposite side. Just incredible. Without a doubt, one of my great dreams in visiting NZ fulfilled.

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HUKA FALLS

3/29/2014

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On our way home from the thermal area, we just had to make a quick stop at the famous Huka Falls right outside Taupo. Huka Fals are an incredibly powerful falls that provide much of the energy needs for the region.

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VISIT TO ORAKEI KORAKO CAVE AND THERMAL PARK

3/29/2014

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Following the white water rafting, we all had a nice roadside lunch/picnic and traveled on to the Orakei korako Cave and Thermal Park. This was the beginning of the Middle Earth Yang, having left the Middle earth Yin far, far behind. I have always been a fan of Dante Alighieri's poem,The Divine Comedy, particularly the first part, Dante's Inferno (the poet's up front and personal tourist's view of Hell). While walking through this site I could not decide whether I was in Dante's Inferno or LOTR's Mordor. The weather was just overcast enough on this day to lend an eerie pallor to the proceedings, augumented by the incredible smell of sulfur everywhere. Unfortunately, there was too much upward climbing for JoeAnn to handle, so she stayed behind and relaxed in the tourist center while we three explored the site, and what a site it was. Truly Hellish, nightmarish, and fascinating. I have included pictures of some of the signs that describe the photos that follow. The English language version is in the lower left hand corner of the signs.

Lunch by Lake Rotoiti. You gotta eat!

As we traveled on to Hell, we saw many plums of geothermal activity like this one throughout the region.

The tourist center where we start our journey to the park.

Where we're going by ferry on the other side of the lake.

WELCOME TO HELL! This is what first greeted us as we stepped off the ferry that took us across Lake Ohakuri to the park. We have been sooo impressed with the management of New Zealand's incredible park system. The thermal park has elaborate walkway and designated paths throughout the entire park. I was unprepared for the size of this park. It was clear that the walkway and paths were very necessary to insure that tourists would not stray into areas that could mean almost sure death or, at the very least, serious injury.

How surprising particularly for Jody to find a lake bed in the shape of the African continent.

Looks like snow, doesn't it? Actually, it's sulfur and other chemicals.

One would definitely not want to fall into one of these smoking pits.

"Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble."

This gave a whole new meaning to Hot Tub and "soda fountain."

While we were running around elsewhere in the park, JoeAnn got this picture of the geyser erupting from her vantage point across the lake. We missed it.

Two hours later, we return from our trek around the park and find JoeAnn waiting amidst the smoking ruins..

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White Water Rafting

3/29/2014

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Following our trip to Shire, we set out early the next morning to Kaituna Rafting and Kayaking so that both Jody and Brendan could white water raft down drops of 7 meters (would you believe 22 feet?). I chose to have breakfast at a nice local establishment with JoeAnn while Jody and Brendan did their thing. In the 70's I saw the movie Deliverance. Do you remember how it ended? I decided that I've already been to that party in the movies. Following are the pictures from that experience. We all know that Jody is a crazy risk-taker, so no surprise. She and Brendan got pretty wet. JoeAnn and I enjoyed our breakfast.

Hmmmm! Stil smilin.'

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THE SHIRE

3/28/2014

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Following our trip through the Glowworm caves, we stopped for a picnic lunch and headed on to one of my most anticipated attractions, the filming location of The Shire for the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) and The Hobbit movies. 'Hobbiton' is located on a sheep farm in the Matamata region and was a relatively short drive from the Glowworm Caves. Most of the original set was taken down upon completion of the LOTR trilogy of movies. When the director, Peter Jackson, began planning the filming of The Hobbit movies, he returned to the original location. The owner of the sheep farm allowed the set to be rebuilt, but this time in a more permanent fashion so that it could become a tourist attraction. It has now become one of the most go-too tourist attractions in all of New Zealand and is somewhat of a Mecca for Tolkien fans. This is one huge set. Everything is real (except for some of the food placed on tables). The only thing missing were actual Hobbits. The flora and fauna are all cared for daily. All of the Hobbit homes are permanent, exterior locations. They have no interiors as interior scenes were shot elsewhere on soundstages. Following are only a fraction of the pictures we took. They speak for themselves. Just a Tolkien Geek's paradise. Even people who are not fans thoroughly enjoy the beauty and creativity of this set. The blue sky, blue water, and green fields were captivating. It was obvious that the set is kept well-irrigated as NZ has been experiencing somewhat of a drought lately. That is why is the hills that are outside of the set are brown while the set itself is gloriously green.

Bilbo Baggins' home built right into the hill exactly as it was rebuilt for the latest films.

The actual bench that the actor playing Bilbo sits in outside his home when visited by Gandalf the Wizard in The Hobbit.

On our way to The Green Dragon for a complimentary 'pint.'

We saw an entire group of sheep dutifully walking along in single file. Hilarious!

Over the bridge that features so prominently in the film on the way to The Green Dragon on the other side.

The Mill.

The Green Dragon tavern itself.

One of the bars inside The Green Dragon.

Drinking with my Mother-In-Law - always a good thing.

A real roaring fire.

A dozing cat by the fire.

Jody spontaneously put on one of the outfits hanging on a coat rack.

I so love this tree which figures so prominently in all of the films.

In closing, I highly recommend visiting Hobbiton for anyone fortunate enough to visit NZ. A very feel-good experience and a film lovers paradise.

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WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES EXPERIENCE

3/28/2014

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First up this morning was a trip from our hotel to Waitomo Caves for an amazing glowworm experience. This was one of several glowworm caves in the region that have been famous tourist attractions since the late Nineteenth Century. This cave is owned by the original Maori Tribe who discovered it in 1887. Chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor, Fred Mace, were exploring the caves. They built a raft made of flax and floated into the dark hidden cave using only candles for illumination. Here they discovered a myriad of tiny bright lights dotted along the cave ceiling. They soon realized that the luminescent cave dots were in fact thousands of glowworms. The cave was opened to tourists in 1889 and it soon became a very successful tourist operation. In 1904 the administration of the cave was taken over byy the government. However, in 1990, the land and the cave were returned to the descendants of the original owners. The Crown also retained an interest in the caves which is now administered by the Department of Conservation. Many of the staff employed at the attraction are direct descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife, Huti.

The extremely beautiful and artistic design of the tourist attraction.

No pictures of any kind, even without flash, are allowed in the caves, thus the following pictures are from our CD. Although the boat is illuminated in the above picture, our trip by boat through the cave was in complete darkness and the thousands of glowworms were like stars in the sky (actually on the cave ceiling).

The glowworm lives for about 11 months, with a four-stage life cycle. Eggs are laid in clutches of 30-40 on walls and ceilings. Immediately after hatching from the egg. the glowworm larvae emit a light, build a nest, put down lines and feed (see above). Sticky substances on the line trap insects and these are drawn up and devoured. The larvae stage lasts around 9 months. It then turns into a pupa in a cocoon and emerges as a two winged flying insect similar to a large mosquito.

Huge stalactites and stalagmites form many decorative sculptures in the caves. Stalactites grow down from the ceiling and stalagmites grow up from the floor.

The Waitomo caves are made up of multiple levels. The upper levels are dry and include the entrance to the Catacombs, the Pipe Organ, the Banquet Chamber, and the Cathedral. The lower level consists of the stream passages and the Glowworm Grotto. Many sweet sounds have been heard from the largest cavern, 'The Cathedral.' Famous singers and choirs have performed there in the past and have been very impressed with the acoustic purity created from the enclosed shape and rough ground.

Exiting the boat after our underground glowworm tour.

Both the walking tour of the caves and the boat trip through them was very powerful. We were advised to be very quiet as we floated through the cave. It truly was a spiritual experience to see these thousands of glowworms shining their light in the total darkness and our privilege in being able to witness them in peace in their centuries-old home.

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ARRIVAL AT THE CHELMSWOOD HOTEL IN TAUPO

3/27/2014

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After a scenic drive we arrived at the Chelmswood Hotel in Taupo. What a great time at this hotel that was located directly off the lake. There was a big pool that was basically a huge hot tub to luxuriate in and rest our aching bones and muscles from a day of touring.

Sunset from our room.

Fun under the pool's very hot waterfall.

Traveled 7500 miles only to get eaten by Jaws at poolside.

Had to have pizza one night from HELL PIZZA.

The daylight view from our hotel room. What is that ominous-looking funnel shaped mountain in the distance?

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TRIP TO TAUPO, NZ, ON THE NORTH ISLAND

3/27/2014

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On Thursday, March 27, Jody, JoeAnn, Brendan and I left Wellington via vehicle and drove to Taupo on the North Island for a 4 day trip to this region. Little did I realize that this trip would be the Yin and Yang of Middle Earth. First up on the trip was a picnic lunch in a pretty park. Preparing your own food for lunches and dinners is a great way to save money in very expensive New Zealand.

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BACK TO THE WETA CAVE WITH JOEANN AND BRENDAN

3/25/2014

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I just had to go back to the WETA Cave with Brendan and JoeAnn. I had just as much fun the second time through. I always enjoy seeing the trolls outside,

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HORSE OF THE YEAR show in Hastings, New Zealand

3/22/2014

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After Jody returned from Christchurch with her Mom and son, she and I set out Saturday morning for Hastings, New Zealand to see the international HORSE OF THE YEAR show. We stayed overnight in Napier, the Art Deco capitol of New Zealand. Unfortunately, we weren't there long enough to see the artowrk that made Napier famous, but we plan to make an attempt to return. The horse show as great and Jody was in love with the event. It was exciting and we even got to get ourselves new chapeaus.