Forests and Hobbits

The geography of NZ makes it an amazing place for outdoor adventures and there are a lot of places we’ve been where we are the only folks walking or driving through incredibly scenic vistas. But there are also a few touristy things that seem like must dos.

Not unlike the Luau you might have in Hawaii we went to a Māori celebration which included entertainment, education, Haka dancing and awesome food. It’s very striking the difference between how we North Americans have treated the indigenous and the way they are here. One in five New Zealanders are Māori and they are more prominent in the North Island.

There is an incredible redwood forest near Rotorua with trees about 70 m - look how tiny those people on the bottom left are. They’ve set up a 'tree top walk' through the forest with about 20 suspension bridges - it’s pretty cool.

Then there’s Hobbiton of course. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed all the hobbit house and the beer at the Green Dragon Inn at the end.

Since I was here a few years ago they now have houses that you can go inside.

We’re spending Christmas at a beautiful spot on the Coromandel Peninsula - right on the 3rd hole of a golf course. I’ve spent several Christmases in places far from home - Disneyland, Buenos Aires, Namibia, Johannesburg - and it always seems a bit odd. I said Merry Christmas to a few folks and they seem to reply with an oh yeah merry Christmas to you too. Everything is closed so we’ve got a few things to put together for our Christmas dinner after a walk on the beach. All the best to everyone - enjoy time with friends and family.