The World of Lord of the Rings

After breakfast, we drove to Hobbiton, the filming location of the movie “The Lord of the Rings.” Here, we felt like we were in a world of elves, dwarves, and hobbits. My girlfriend was excitedly taking photos and said, “This really feels like the world of Lord of the Rings. I want to bring the beautiful scenery back home!” The admission ticket to Hobbiton was $79 NZD per person.

Rotorua Hot Springs Tour

In the afternoon, we drove to Rotorua and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way. Upon arrival, we checked in at the pre-booked Polynesian Spa Resort, known for its hot springs. At night, we decided to try the local hot springs. While soaking in the hot springs, we met a couple of tourists from Australia and had a great time chatting and exchanging travel experiences. The cost of staying at the hot springs resort was $190 NZD per night.

Hangi Dinner

For dinner, we tried the Maori traditional food – Hangi Dinner. At Tamaki Maori Village restaurant, we enjoyed the Maori cultural performances and experienced the unique charm of New Zealand’s indigenous people. My girlfriend especially loved this Hangi dinner, saying it was the most distinctive cuisine she had tasted on this trip. This dinner cost us a total of $110 NZD.

Tags: Hobbiton, Rotorua, Village