Two nights (3/22-3/23) in a hotel in a town called National Park (silly name), to rest my aching bones and make a game plan. I was originally planning on that Whanganui Journey paddling adventure but, alas, I haven't heard back from them. No guides and no other solo trekkers so...outta luck. What to do? There's an Aquarium in Auckland that sounds interesting. Maybe that's the move...
Long drive to Auckland first thing Monday (3/24). The SEAlife Aquarium is...fine. Penguin section and Antarctic Expedition display were of interest, but the conveyor belt with surrounding cylindrical tank felt...dated. I'm sure it was awesome in the eighties when it debuted.
Tuesday (3/25) morning and I've missed the ferry trip I booked to Rangitoto, realizing too late I needed to park my rental and board on foot. Whoops. The boat leaves without me. What to do? Stroll down the beach a bit, check out Achilles' Point, then let's take ourselves a tour of the Auckland Museum. Though I would have preferred some active adventure, spending the day in a cultural museum is not the worst. Found a super rad traveling exhibit about blood-feeding parasites and accompanying folklore. Learned some new tidbits about vampire mythology as well as the fascinating and bizarre practice of blood-letting as a cure for ailments. Did you know that up until the late 1800's barbers in England did double duty as "surgeons" who would blood-let (with the aid of leeches no less) on your behalf? I didn't. Until now. Permanent exhibits featured artifacts from all over the Pacific Islands and a brief natural history section. I think I was there for about five hours. Worth it.
Wednesday (3/26) morning I am informed that the sunset sea kayak tour to Rangitoto I booked has been canceled due to a death in the guide's family. Understandable but...Foiled Again! Floundering for an alternative I elect to attend the Auckland Art Gallery instead. An exhibit on Gothic Art is of particular interest. Otherwise, the gallery is fairly small so I spend some time checking out the nearby park. The roots of trees are more captivating than sculptures planted in the area.
Thursday (3/27) and time is growing short. I'm getting anxious. What to do with my few remaining days? I need more waterfall pictures. But first...Hobbiton! Originally, I was going to avoid this site as I suspected it would be a tourist trap. I wasn't entirely wrong. With an average of two-thousand visitors a day, three hundred and sixty four days a year (closed for xmas), they make a brisk business of shuffling site seers around the preserved movie set of the much beloved Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. The grounds we toured were, alas, only façades as interior shots were handled on a sound stage down in Wellington. Never-the-less they were indeed recognizable and the level of detail excruciating. None could compare to the Hobbit Hole we were allowed to enter. Although not a part of the original set and built solely for our tourism pleasure, the space was brilliantly conceived and executed to perfection. The team responsible for concocting this marvel had a field day with it.
A stop at the Green Dragon Tavern for a flagon of drought. I was surprised and am pleased to report that the beer and food on offer was unique to that venue and quite delicious. I swallowed a beef and ale pie with an onion scone all with the aid of a hearty stout. Not at all disappointing. I can't fault Hobbiton for being such an appealing attraction, I only resent the crowds.
Away from the morass and off to Wairere Falls, a short drive to the east. The track is well developed with sturdy wood steps and steep! The first look-out halfway up offers the best views. At the top, a grand vista overlooking miles of New Zealand countryside.
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