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Published: March 4th 2011
Friday March 4th – Into the Shire - Happy Birthday Travis
Frodo: You're late!
Gandalf: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
Ah yes, to be a wizard!
Today I drove a road that Ron had mentioned that few “tourists” encounter. Known as the Forgotten World Highway, it runs through an area of rough terrain eventually passing though a tropical gorge to the Town of Taumaranui on the western edge of the central mountain range. Unlike the south island, all the mountains on the north island are volcanic. As you can hopefully see from the pics this really is the “Shire” as depicted in the LOTR series. Halfway along this highway sits a small town of Wahagamomona (easy for you to say) Several years ago, feeling ignored by the gov’t they declared themselves an independent republic. The first prime minister was a goat who held the position for several years and then was replaced by a dog who held the position until a tragic auto accident. I don’t believe the position is currently occupied. I had lunch at the hotel. they have money from hundreds of visitors
signed, dated and tacked on the wall. I gave him a 20 Peso note that I happened to have in my backpack. After surviving the highway, part of which was very narrow and not paved, I passed through Taumaranui and drove on to the National Park Village. My plan was to spend the night here and then do the famous one-day treck called the Tongariro Crossing. It is a 7-8 hour treck across a set of volcanic mountains with out of this world views. Upon arrival I consulted with them and realized it was not to be. The weather forecast for the following day was wind gusts over 50K with heavy rain and snow above 2500m. They would not even provide transportation for any fool that might want to attempt it. So on with plan B. Only another hour plus down the road is the central city of Taupo. Home of the largest lake (and I mean large) in NZ. As it turned out Saturday the International Ironman event is occurring here so I was really lucky to get a room. Had dinner at an “Irish” pub. Based on the forecast even the Ironmen and ladies are not in for
Very appropriate
There was also a sign that said "High incidence of motorcycle accidents" which wouldn't be hard to believemuch fun.
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