Vicky Tkachuck travelled from the US with her mother Lyndene and two daughters, Josie & Julianna over their student spring break. An avid LoTR fan, this was a bucket list trip for Lyndene.
This family group literally stepped off the plane and into a waiting vehicle to hit the road with Constance, who met them at the airport.
Their first introduction to Aotearoa/New Zealand was the eye-opening enclosed gardens, nestled along the banks of the Waikato River in Hamilton before heading further South to enter the Ruakuri Cave to see the Glow worms of Waitomo.
After a tranquil short stay at Lakeview Wellness Retreat in Cambridge, Constance took them on a tiki tour of the neighbouring towns, Morrinsville to see the Mega Cow and a herd of sculptured painted cows planted down the Main St.
Followed by Te Aroha, home of the world’s only hot soda water geyser and a lemon drink that was the pre-cursor to our well-known beverage Lemon & Paeroa, the town next door.
The highlight for Lyndene was Hobbiton. Having had a recent hip replacement operation, a povided golf-cart was able to ensure that she did not miss out on this fantastical adventure.
Arriving in Rotorua they immediately walked amongst the treetops in the Redwood Forest before calling it another action packed day, unwinding with dinner at Eat Street.
Another beautiful day dawned and the gals were whisked off to get pampered, with a soak in thermal waters then a massage at Wai Ariki Spa. Followed by lunch up the Skyline Gondola overlooking the lake with Mt Tarawera an imposing backdrop.
That evenings entertainment was the Maori cultural show and a traditional dinner with the Tamaki Whanau @ Te Pa Tu. In the morning the family got to look on in wonder at the boiling mud, bubbling like porridge and the eruption of the Lady Constance Knox Geyser @ Wai-o-tapu.
With stops at the Honey Hive and Huka Falls the ladies got to witness the opening of the Aratiatia Rapid Floodgates hitting another Hobbit hit for Lyndene.
Later in the day the clouds settled in over the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park. The misty weather added to the feel when they entered the areas portrayed as Mordor and Mt Doom, to visit key LoTR sites. Mt Taranaki lurked eerily in the distance, its head above the cloud.
Giggles were had at the talking toilets and giant carrot of Ohakune then again when introduced to Fred Dagg’s legacy, the Gumboot, in Taihape which included a competition in tossing them.
The girls loved the petting zoo at Flathills Cafe for lunch and taste testing Foxton Fizz en-route to Wellington where it was time to say goodbye to Constance for whom this short and sweet road trip had come to an end.
But Vicky and her family were not done. Xplor Tours of Wellington stepped into the breach. Being the home of Weta and Peter Jackson, they offer a memorable LoTR experience.
Following this they were flying onto Australia for a two day whirlwind look at Sydney with plans to visit the Blue Mountains and an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo.
