Probably the most timely place to blog about is Hobbiton in New Zealand.... given the release of "The Hobbit" shortly.
Hidden in rural New Zealand, Matamata is a great place. Just out of town is Hobbiton, and the tours of the movie set. Through a project with Peter Jackson, the farm owner, New Line Cinema and some very very very timely weather changes, the set of Hobbiton was left on the farm and allowed to be opened as a tourist attraction.
Used even more recently in "The Hobbit", Hobbiton is beautiful in its movie splendor. Walking around is magical, and will turn children into even the most hardened adults. Expanded from the original Lord of the Rings films, extra hobbit-holes have been built and the area is even more beautiful.
The tour guide is amazing, sharing insights from the film, the area and everything else you can imagine. I was privileged to be allowed behind-the-scenes as it were for photos and exploration.
The next element to open at Hobbiton is the pub. Set to open in December, and I plan on heading there with my friend Johanna to have a few pints of Hobbit Ale, "The Green Dragon" will round out a wonderful location for all to enjoy.
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| Catching the 'Gandalf' bus from Shire's Rest |
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| My gorgeous class arriving at the first hobbit hole |
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| The level of detail is astounding |
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| By the lake. |
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| Looking across Hobbiton |
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| The one ring showing Samwise's house where he proposed |
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| The lake and the "Green Dragon" pub |
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| Behind the gate of Frodo Baggin's house! Sitting on the steps where Gandalf and Frodo tussled and fell |
I can't wait to go see The Hobbit, and I would so love to see the Hobbiton in person. When the first movies came out my husband and I were obsessed with figuring out how to build and live in a hobbit house. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit holes are amazing! We were allowed to climb inside some of them, which was a privilege and a half. I have just posted on Rivendell, and really, I can't believe how many locations from LOTR are now becoming open to the public for free!
DeleteI didn't even realize they actually had the place still there! how amazing and cool. Thanks so much for sharing this with us for favorite thing :) Now following!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing. I wasn't expecting so much from Hobbiton, but it was amazing. I plan on going again when they open the Green Dragon as an actual pub.
DeleteFollowing back, and I shall see you on the weekend. ;)
ReplyDeleteI wanna come. what a sweet experience.
ReplyDeleteAloha Sweet Friend,
The ladies and I are starting to gather a bit early this week so that we can take our turkey loving time mingling and growing together over the next few days.
Thank you for linking up with us last week, thank you for sharing your sweet energy with all of us... thank you for being beautiful you.
Come join us if you please.
xo,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com