Hobit Wanders 3: There's No Place Like Home!

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Hobbit Wanders Part Three: There's No Place Like Home.

Climbing the rock face with Moka and jumping into the crisp Akatarawa River on a fresh March evening: It felt like time had spun backwards at least a decade, my inner child was smiling with eyes wide open.

Blimy! I remember more than 20 years ago during summer, when Mum would pick my brother and I up after school in the Hillman Hunter. She would bring our togs and towels and we would get changed. Then take a dive at twin bridges - OH the days!

It was so fantastic to share Wellington, and the Hutt Valley with Moka. After five years of living in London, the simple beauty of the surrounding hills and the laid back suburban setting was literally a breath of fresh air. From Martinborough across to Kapiti and around to Scorching bay, I had a great time reminiscing about the past and relishing in the present.

As breath taking as the environment was though, it was the love of my friends and family that made this trip different from any other.
Dinner at Grandma’s. Hanging with Haley. laughs with Rebz. Curry with Sean n Shell. A BBQ with Nic. Lunch with Raggedy and coffee with Nick.


So where was I? Ah yes, we left Rotorua a little grazed but in good spirits.

We were amazed that the bus to Taupo stopped at Huka Falls. What a bonus! Huka Falls is the result of a narrow rock chasm that forces the 100 metre wide Waikato River through a slim 20 metre gap. Definetly a box for any visitors to tick.

Meeting Mum in Taupo was too cool! We had couple days of typical 'batch life' in Kuratau. Going on thermal bush walks that weave around bubbling mud pools, collecting drift wood from the lake and playing scrabble after dinner. It is odd to imagine that this gigantic lake used to be a massive volcano. From the grand heights of the volcano Mt Ruapehu, to the hidden lakes like Rotokura, the Central Plateau shows off mother nature in all her alpine beauty.

Anyways!! ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!

We arrive in Wellington. So much to do and so little time.

3 Moonstone Grove - my old room, and OUR single bed. Bring on the all night cuddles! And it's finally time for Moka to have some birthday cake: Pavlova! Also time to do some gardening and of course chillin in the hammock.

5 Oak Street is where two of the coolest people I know live. They also happen to be my grandparents. After Moka has a tour around their garden, conversation turns to a very important topic: cheese. Moka and Mary are cheese fans, but never with fruit and nuts - and although I agree, I do love that Wesleydale with cranberries Vicky introduced me to. I love dinner at Oak St. It is always full of easy flowing conversation, lots of laughs and great company.

Out on the west coast near Waikanae we ate fish and chips with Watties tomatoe sauce, made the best sand dragon ever, collected pipi’s and went swimming. Man, weekends in New Zealand ROCK!

In the city, we went to the Botanical Gardens, took a dip at Scorching Bay, explored Te Papa and got blown away on Mt Victoria - I had actually forgotten how impressively windy the place is. We wandered along funky Cuba Street and around the stylish harbour, meet friends for lunch and tasted several kiwi beers.

Hiking up to Cannons point past the Birchville dam is another must do for visitors and locals alike - it may not be world famous but with the river gently winding its way to the Wellington Harbour, framed by the hills and mountains, it one of my favourite places ever. And looks so much like middle earth it is no surprise that several scenes from Lord of the Rings were shot nearby.


It is said, that distance makes the heart grow fonder. The way I see my home town now is so different than when I was a young adult bursting to go explore the world.



It is funny how we can go travelling the entire world, having profound life experiences in exotic locations, but: ‘THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME’.

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Comments

[Liz Noble]

clever
What a mint dragon! (Well done Moka, very clever) You are so right, there is no place like home, we are so so lucky!