December 10, 2024

Hobbiton and Rotorua

FAMILY!!  We were thrilled to host some of our family for a few weeks in November.  Everyone enjoyed the magical setting of Hobbiton.

Thomas and Melanie pose with “Gandalf”.

The foxglove blooms added color to the gardens of the tiny shire homes.

We could barely fit together in this Hobbit home.

The scenes felt like something from a movie, imagine!

Lunch (second breakfast) tasted delicious.  We tried to sample everything.

Walking through the Redwood Forrest felt cool and quiet.  The early evening stroll made us feel almost alone in this beautiful setting.

Kaituna River Falls:  We dressed and received instructions from our animated guide, Jasper.

We start with an easy waterfall.

Jasper told John and Rick to paddle us to the waterfall where we received a royal dunking.  MaryAnne turned to avoid the splash but we all took the hit.

We paddled fast and hard to give Rick and John the same “shower” in the falls.  

The BIGGIE!!!  We completely disappeared in the frothy white water and reemerged with everyone still in the raft.  Exhilarating! 

See!  We made it through to attack another waterfall and swim through currents.

More to come on our joyous journey through New Zealand.