Creative – When Paths Cross

In my opinion, no visit to New Zealand is complete without a little Lord of the Rings (LOTR) adventure. I am happy to report that there are literally millions of LOTR nerds just like my other half and I. Yes, I said millions! The Hobbiton movie set sees around 1500 visitors a day, and is only closed on Christmas. The baseline tour is 2 hours long, and ends with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, complete with optional costumes. Please don’t be shy, put on a costume!

This set is not the original from the LOTR trilogy but the second, erected a second time for the filming of The Hobbit Trilogy. Unlike an ordinary movie set which is built to be temporary, this set was made to last so that fans like you and I could visit. Awesome, I know! During your tour you will learn about leaves being flown in from Taiwan, frogs being transferred out of a pond and much much more. The details put into this set, as well as the beautiful farmland it sits on are a huge part of what makes the Hobbit scenery in the trilogies astounding. More details on the tour can be found on their website: hobbitontours.com.

Set in the beautiful farmlands of Northern New Zealand even the drive to the tour is breathtaking. If you are picturing rolling hills of green, with loads of sheep on the hillsides then you will not be let down. The Shire is stunning and Hobbiton is complete with 44 hobbit-holes, clothing lines full or little Hobbit laundry, and the rolling greens of the Shire all around. All allowing you to feel like you are now in LOTR. Enjoy some of my experience below!

Welcome to Hobbiton!

One of the first hobbit-holes you will see!

Check out all hobbit-holes and look out on the Shire!

The hobbits that live higher up are wealthier. Can you see what hobbit-hole is at the top right of this photo?

Famous Hobbit-Holes

Surely you recognize this famous hobbit-hole. Home of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo! Their fake tree made for the Hobbit trilogy rests behind.

Time for Drinks at The Green Dragon Inn

Beautiful river outside of the Green Dagons Inn.

A few more just for fun!

Forced perspective. Or am I really that tall?

We had to. Aren’t we cute?

The Shire!

Selfie in the Shire!

Wander With Love.

inconsistetly.tash

Social media is full of photos with peoples 10th take. Posing, while creating a scene to make people awe has become the norm. Maybe parts of the truth have been cropped out. Not instagram worthy.

If a picture can tell a thousand words… What about two photos of the same location? Merely a different perspective. Here are some photos I have taken to do a small part in shedding the light on the realities of how terrible pollution, and in particular plastic is for our environment. All taken in beautiful places that could use a little more love from people.

The Same Monkeys Now Photo’d To Show That They are Surrounded by Plastic

The Path To The Sea Littered With Rubbish

Another Shot of All the Plastic On The Same Beach

While travelling there are often community forums or big organizations that do clean-ups. Participating is one way to help while wandering. Social media does not always share the realities of any given situation. Plastic is ruining our environment and travelling can open a persons eyes to this. Maybe consider not photo-shopping the truth out of all your travel photos to help with awareness.

Have any similar tips? Please comment to share!

Wander With Love,

inconsistently.tash

When Paths Cross

Category: Creative

When Paths Cross with Hobbiton