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Published: December 22nd 2008
Sex Pistols Van
Michael has really got into the Sex Pistols this holiday!Leaving Rotorua we're now heading for Auckland via Matamata. I don't know what that means in Maori - but in English this translates to Hobbiton. We made it just in time for the noon tour of the Lord of the Rings Set. It was quite amazing as the guide literally went through each of the major bits in Hobbiton and showed us where it was filmed. The amount of re-constructive work that had been done was just immense - down to moving an oak tree from somewhere else, tying oak leaves on - just for about 30 seconds of the films (all 3!).
The Party tree and lake were essentially unchanged - the flat area where the party was held was also the same. The hobbit holes had all the fronts taken off them - and they weren't allowed to make them like the film. I think if we come back in 5 years they will have been allowed to sort them out.
Next stop Manakau - where we were for the first two nights. The boys thought this was great as they said it was like going home?
We caught the bus into Auckland again - then
The Party Tree
Party Tree - Hobbiton on to Kelly Tarlton's. This is the first place to have the plexiglass tunnels that you walk through to see sharks! We also saw Stingrays and Penguins - we all liked the Penguins. For some reason they also have Father Christmas swimming - feeding Conga eels?
We missed the harbour tour by 5 mins - so had to go and have a beer!! or two!!! Then took the boys for dinner on a terrace in the sun - sweet!
Will be meeting Jo tomorrow
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