Hit the road Jack

The first day of our road trip dawned bright and early, five o clock early as a matter of fact which is when Kathy awoke. Ian and I managed to lay in a bit longer, and Chris didn't wake till around eight after 12 hours sleep. We breakfasted on the balcony on weetabix honey bites while watching the Aucklanders going to work, by 9am we were ready to go. We grabbed our luggage and squeezed into the lift. At reception the door opened and everyone got out, leaving me at the back. By the time I had wrestled my case to the front the door had closed again and I had another trip up to the eighth floor and back down again. By the time I got out reception was empty. 'They have settled the bill and gone' said the receptionist. I dragged my huge case out to the car park where the rest of my family was looking bewildered, they thought I had rushed to the car. I could have been stuck in that lift forever.

We loaded up and headed on out of Auckland, Hobbiton bound. The New Zealand sat nav, Kiki, a quietly spoken but confident young lady, guided us through the traffic and we were soon on uncrowded, wide roads. We were all looking out for wildlife, especially possums which Vicky tells us are more common than people, cows, and even sheep. However the only thing we saw were some birds of prey, type unknown. Two hours later and we were pulling into the set used in The Lord of the rings and the hobbit films. A short bus ride with Big John brought us through the working sheep farm to Hobbiton itself. Our guide was a lovely New Zealand girl who's badge said Kendall, but who pronounced her name Kindle. So e's are i's in New Zealand. She took us through the lane where Gandalf rides into town at the beginning of lord of the rings, past Bilbos hole

Up to a hole where you could go inside (although all the holes are just fronts)

Round lots more of the forty or so holes

Over the bridge and into the wonderful Green Dragon Inn. Here we got a drink of one of the beers (or ginger beer) brewed only for this location, included in the fee, and bought a sandwich. You really could imagine being in the real Green Dragon

We then wandered back to the bus, and Big John

What a great location, no wonder it has so many visitors from all over the world.

Next we pushed on to the waitomo glow worm caves, standard caves with the usual stalagmites and stalagtites, but with the amazing added bonus off glow worms on the ceiling. We got to take a boat trip  in the dark out of the cave on the underwater river, it was as if the roof was covered with stars. Amazing. Unfortunately no photography was allowed until after we got off the boat. This was also a trip well worth doing. Finally we drove another two hours (well some drove, Chris, and some slept, me) into Rotarua and found our motel for the night, the Alpin lodge. On checking in the lady gave us a bottle of bubbles for the hot tub and a carton of milk for coffee. A small unit this time with the added benefit of a big hot tub on the patio. We were all still very tired so we ordered pizza to be delivered and I started filling it up. After the pizza was demolished it was ready and I was first in. I have come to the conclusion that everyone needs a hot tub! We all eventually squeezed in, despite Ian taking up all the room, and then it began to rain, which made it magical. After a good long soak we traipsed inside to take turns in the shower. we planned tomorrow's route around Rotorua and retired to bed.