Kevin & Kathy Collins from Long Island, New York spent one week in Australia and two weeks on a cruise ship around Aotearoa before being met by their Road Trip Guide, Constance, to start a whirlwind five day LoTR tour of the North Island.
For Kevin, a die-hard LoTR fan, this trip to New Zealand was long awaited. In exchange for this pilgrimage he promised wife Kathy wine and lots of stunning scenery.
Day one saw the pair kick off their adventure with a visit to the Shire of Hobbiton where they would have fit right in and quite happily resided for the remainder of their days. Kathy who has several airborne food allergies was very satisfied with the feast put before her at the banquet lunch.
On day two the couple got to re-live the terror of the Mt Tarawera eruption by visiting the Te Wairoa Buried Village. Kathy also faced her fear of heights to do the Redwood Treewalk before taking the Skyline Gondola ride up, with the lure of a tasting at Volcanic Wines. That evening they took in the cultural show and hangi dinner @ Te Pa Tu.
It was a picture perfect summer’s day and early start for the third day of their travels, which by chance, was Waitangi Day. The morning included taking in the strange sights at Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland, the Aratiatia Rapids, Huka Falls, a Honey & Mead tasting @ Huka Honey Hive and lunch in Taupo.
The afternoon was all about LoTR & the Hobbit film locations in the Tongariro National Park. Mt Doom was in full view and Kevin was absolutely blown away to step foot on Mordor then take the Sky Waka up this volcanic mountain.
Visiting sites at both Whakapapa & Turoa (NZ’s North Island ski-fields) Kevin could totally envisage where Smeagol caught his fish, Gollum’s pool, the Emyn Muil & the secret door to the lonely mountain.
The pair ended the day stayimg nearby “Anduin” at River Valley, nestled on the banks of the Rangitikei River near Taihape the Gumboot Capital. Kathy, Kevin & Constance were treated to an outstanding meal (& vino for Kathy) at the weary end of a long days travel.
The hot weather continued on day four, which saw them head north again to visit the glow worm caves of Waitomo. After lunching at the Fat Kiwi Cafe the pair visited the Kiwi House in Otorohanga to see NZ’s flighless, nocturnal bird.
After spending the night in “The Tron”, Kathy & Kevin started day five with a visit to the Hamilton Gardens. Set along the banks of the Waikato River, these fantastical enclosed gardens are a must.
En-route back to Auckland they partook of a kiwi favourite, Boysenberry Ripple ice cream at the famous Pokeno shop to fuel up for their Weta Unleashed experience.
Constance then whipped them out West for a wine tasting at Kumeu River, Coopers Creek and The Hunting Lodge; where they quaffed wine in the late afternoon sun before a sumptuous dinner at their restaurant.
It was a stunning end to their travels with Constance. With one final day up their sleeve before flying home to the USA, the pair plan to visit Waiheke Island where Kevin will keep Kathy happy one more time with yep, you guessed it, more wine.
