Hobbiton

Hobbiton

Hobbiton “I’m going on an adventure!” – Bilbo Baggins And to get to our adventure, we stepped aboard a coach at the tourist office in Matamata. Our driver, who had the rare privilege of being an extra in the films, provided commentary, and so...
Rotorua

Rotorua

Rotorua The sulphurous pong of Rotorua assaulted our nostrils as soon as we got near the city centre. After parking the car in a relatively odour-free multi-story, we set off on a hunt to find the source of the smell. We found it near the government gardens, where...
Kerikeri and Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Kerikeri and Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Kawakawa Just one week after messing around at the All Blacks Experience, we were off again – this time up north towards Kerikeri. On the way to Kerikeri, just off Highway One (think more A33 than M1), the lovely town of Kawakawa offers a scenic break and the...
Auckland and The All Blacks

Auckland and The All Blacks

All Blacks Experience A trip to New Zealand wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Blacks, at least in some form. So, after landing at Auckland airport after a visit to the UK, we drove to the city to see the All Blacks Experience through four bleary eyeballs....
Riverside Festivities and Rural Whangarei

Riverside Festivities and Rural Whangarei

Christmas in the Boatyard Granted, for some, sitting in a boatyard workshop drinking copious quantities of beer may not be regarded as a great Christmas. But even the hardiest curmudgeon would be hard-pressed not to see this as fun. Every Friday, the staff at...