May 14, 2014 To Hairy Feet

We hit the right time of year when the crowd is gone and the weather perfect. In the van for the next day of adventure and that is where we are spending a big part of our days.
New Zealand is a two lane country road and a big distance between sights. But do we care? Hell no cause it is all so pretty the miles go by but at times a little fresh air is good because this place has lots of hills and mountains and round and round we go. Today we take the road less traveled to see the hobbits. The road more traveled entertains tour busses but we are headed to a new movie location called Hairy Feet (Hobbit fans can guess the source of that name!) and it is just us and the owner of the location.

500 movie folks camped here and built roads and location assets for a 10 minute part in the movie. No wonder they cost so much to make. It was spactactular and I am sure Tina will place a few photos to show you. But the pictures cannot capture the thunder getting closer and a few drops never hurt and it added to the excitement. But then hail the size of marbles falls and that is a bit much so the van is opened and we duck in to safety. It is over in a minute but we now really aware why they say this place is where you get 4 seasons in one day!

Off we go for another hour drive to Footwhistle Glow-worm for a tour. This time we are joined by another 2 or 3 folks and down, I mean down, down, down we go on steps into a hole in the earth until we arrive a the entrance to a cave and in we go. Soon we see in the half lit cave glowing spots of light and then we enter a large cave room, lights are out and the glow worms pop out all over the ceiling and walls. As we look up it is as if we are looking at a night sky in a romote area and the sky fills with stars and constellations. It was soooo cool! The boy worms glow to impress the ladies but they all make a living by dropping thin lines of sticky web material just waiting for an insect. Once caught they are pulled up to the dinner plate. Before all the electric lights arrived it was explored with candle and sometimes with a magnesium light - thin strip of cord and we get a demonstration as it is lit and the entire large room is filled with light. Unfortunately we must climb the hundred steps up to re-enter the world but it felt kind of good to exercise.

Back in the van for another hour drive to Pirongia for we are staying in a B & B organic farm that sits atop a hill overlooking a valley and green hills as far as we can see. The couple, Salley and Chris are delightful - She from Auckland and he from England. Like many in this land they are sailors and their son was on the America's Cup and with the recent race, discussing the American win was not to be discussed but we bring it up now and again because seeing the pain on his face was worth it. Great sports and Sally put on a meal of lamb and things that was excellent. We dash outside to view the sky away from city lights and greet again the Southern Cross as clear as can be pointing south.

It is cold that night, just above freezing but we sleep well and awake to a great breakfast. Organic farms means the eating is good so our tummy is doing well as we head out to the airport for our flight to the South Island.
Here we bid good bye to our wonderful host and owner of Aroha Luxury tours, Veronika and it is a bit sad to say good bye as Veronika has created a most wonderful and personal experience that we just could not have experienced on our own.
And there is more....

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