Okauia escarpment Wednesday morning after our big country breakfast, we drove the few km from the cottage to the Wairere Falls track (the waterfall we could see from our window). The weather was absolutely gorgeous, already t-shirt temperatures by 9:00. When I had first researched this area online, I’d been struck by the unusual topography…
Our lodgings in the Matamata area Tuesday night were a "farmstay" near Wairere Falls. Of all the places I had found online for our trip, I was the most unsure about this one, based on its little webpage and its price ($80 NZ + $20 for 1 extra person, so that was only about $55…
Our Hobbiton tour bus took us back to Matamata just in time for an early dinner, so we walked across the street to the Redoubt Bar & Eatery, which had been recommended to us by the friendly woman at the information center. (I don't think we met a single person in NZ who was not…
Occupying Bag End Matamata sign We drove into Matamata (the sign and statue at left are in the center of town), and went to the information center to buy our Hobbiton tour tickets. Alex had found a 10%-off coupon in a magazine I picked up at the airport, so that was helpful. While we waited…
Breakfaast in the sunshine Tuesday morning dawned beautifully, bright and clean and sunshiny. We had another great breakfast involving a fresh fruit bowl and homemade muffins, with the sun streaming in the window and making the lush greenery sparkle. After bidding a fond farewell to Berris and Alan, and a promise to come back…
Where have the days gone? 