Last Day in Vancouver

Well the Big bus tour gave me an idea of the what there is to see but I think alot of it would be more impressive in the spring or summer so I guess I will just have to come back.  It turns out there is North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Vancouver all seperate cities.  I went to North Vancover to the Capilano suspension bridge thats right people another swing bridge and this one is longer than any I have been on before. No panicing just walked over and even stopped to take pictures.  It was stunning it crosses over the Capilano river but it was freezing there was also some great views of Grouse mountain where people go to ski, no didn't go skiing, yes I would have if I wasn't frozen.  Also it turns out that they have a lot of bears especially black bears which can climb trees something I didn't know.  Anyway someone suggested doing something crazy and ride a grizzly bear however for those animal loves out there you will know its January and winter which means they are also hibernating and won't be out and about till spring.  So what am I doing for my last day here answer absolutely nothing apart from updateing this and packing for my earliest start since I left home 4am yes thats right I am going to have to wake up before 10am the first time in a week and a half to catch my 7am flight to Toronto.

 Fountain before the swing bridge.

The suspension bridge.

 Frozen trout pond.

 Trees.

No Graffiti.

 Snow Graffiti.

 Capilano River.

 I think Grouse Mountain in the distance if not just a random mountain.

The closest I could get to a bear.

Vancouver

As I said in my last post I was going to avoid spending any money for the last 6 days in Auckland which I managed to do by pretty much staying in the dorm and not going any where apart from the kitchen and back to the dorm.  It is possible to waste time all I did was spend time on the net, read my book and yes played a lot of solitaire to try and beat my top score.  Any way the flight to Vancouver was straight forward apart from the bit where I didn't sleep for the 12 hour flight to LA then the 3 hour wait in transit, but I did manage to get some sleep in the 3 hour flight to vancouver.  So in total I have 4 days here in vancouver I have had a wonder around and got the Big bus tour around Vancouver and all I can say so far is its like every other city maybe because it's winter here and the days are short but there aren't many places where there is a visible mountain range which looks like a christmas seen all dusted with snow.  I am looking forward to the Capilano suspension bridge tomorrow.

 Inside Christ Church Cathedral. (not the one in New Zealand)

 Christ Church from the outside hidden by tall buildings.

 On the way to the information center.

View from the Harbour

Rotorua on the way back to Auckland

Well we chose the perfect day to do the LOTRs tour, because after that it began to rain again as we headed north back to Auckland we stopped in Rotorua for a bit longer and spent New Years eve there.  Due to the rain we didn't do much apart from some souvenier shopping and book our tours to Hobbiton and the Buried Village.  Unfortunately as the release date for the Hobbit films are not until the end of this year and next year all of my photos can't go online, we even had to sign a contract saying that we would not put anything online or mention anything that we were told about the film set/film. But as I don't retain info as many of you know I can't really remember what was said, all I can say is the area the film set is based have a lot of sheep that like to play chicken with passing transport.  Oh we also got to see some sheep shearing as well and feed some lambs.  Our Hobbit tour was followed up with another tour to the Buried Village which is a village as you guessed that is/was buried during a volcanic eruption in the mid to late 1800s. This eruption also destroyed the 8th wonder of the world the pink and white terraces it also covered the near by villages in volcanic mud/ash. When we got back to Auckland it was still raining so we sorted out our flights and bought food, the next day was great perfect weather for the Great taste of Matakana which basically a wine tasting tour, we also got to try honey and chocolate in all there were 14 different types of wine I only tried the white wine lunch was at a lovely vine yard.  Then it rained again so we saw a couple of the local historical houses Ewelme Cottage and Highwic house.  We also went to see The Iron Lady and Sherlock Holmes Game of shadows two films in one day. Now I have 6 days left until I leave for Vancouver so I'm going to avoid spending any more money.

 A little place called Bulls.

 Maori house in the buried village.

 Wine Tasting

Wellington

What is there to do in Wellington during christmas I hear you ask, well that is easy not much on christmas day because everything is closed apart from the museum.  So we spent the day watching TV just like I would have done at home. The day before we wondered around wellington getting lost and getting our barings, we found Katherine Mansfields birthplace (which was closed) with the help of a local who found us very confused as the map was wrong.  Boxing day we went to the Museum Te Papa and went to the wedding dress exhibition looking at dresses from 1800s to present which was interesting and there were some weird and wonderful dresses from contemporary designers.  Then we hit the shops yes boxing day sales and managed to find clothes that actually fit me the first time in a while.  Then today was the big tour yes thats right people it was the LOTRs tour which was great fun recreating different scenes from the film and using the all might imagination.  Went past Peter Jacksons house and no there are no photos as Kiwis do not pester him or chase stars, we also went past the studios and saw a little building which is in the hobbit again no pics as we weren't allowed to.  Hopefully when we go to Hobbiton I might be able to get a couple of pics of the hobbits houses.  Oh nearly forgot also went to Weta Cave which is the company that did all of the costumes, CGI etc and sets. They have done a lot of work for a lot for different films, King Kong, Avatar, Chronicals of Narnia and many more I have forgot half of them. Again the pics speak volumes use your imagination.

 Rivendell sign.

On the way to Rivendell.

 Imagine some stairs on the right hand side that would lead into the center of Rivendell meeting area.

 Grace the Elf.

 Imagine a bridge in the background its the Gardens of Isengard.

 Helms Deep or Minas Tirith? see below.

Answer its both

Beer made for the pub scenes its only 1% though.

Minitures made at Weta.

 Out skirts of the Shire. aka Mt Victoria

 What it looked like in the film.

Frodo's Tree.

Where the Hobbits race to the ferry you know the scene.

Travelling to the south of the North Island

Has the weather improved has summer finally reached New Zealand answer yes.  Whilst in Rotorua I went back to the Maori cultural experience again which was actually better second time round as I managed to see all of the village and made sure I filled my plate up with food, Chicken, Lamb, Peas, sweet potato, and pudding pavlova Mmmmmmm. Following day we went to the Rotorua Museum basically smelt bad because of the sulpher from the thermal pools etc. Whilst in Taupo we went to see the Maori carvings which meant a boat ride and it was a beautiful day for it. Then to river valley time to chill out, read and take part in a Yoga lesson this morning before going to Wellington.

 Rotorua Museum

 Huka Falls

 Mum by the boat we went on.

 View from the boat

 Me on the boat.

 Maori Carvings

North Island second time around.

Ok so my mum arrives in Auckland and it rains, we go out the following day and it rains, we join Kiwi Experience and head to Hot water beach the place where you can dig your own spa and it rains.  Next stop Waitomo yes you guessed it it rains now we are in Rotorua for two nights can anyone guess what it is like yep raining anyone seeing a pattern here?  However I have managed to book a couple of tours yes people I am in the land of the hobbit and therefore I am going on a LOTR's tour in wellington and hopefully to Hobbiton on the way back to Auckland.  Whilst in auckland I did manage to take a couple of pictures as it is Christmas time but doesn't really feel like christmas here apart from the said rain which was the first time I felt christmasy whilst being here.

 The View out of the window at Base.

 Even Orcs are getting into the christmas spirit.

 Who is this strange creature and where is my precious.

Back on the North Island

Arrived in wellington spent a day there just chilling and managed some how to spend $50 on bare essentails. Then went up to Taupo where we stopped off very briefly to see Mt Doom I wish I could remeber the real name of the Volcano but at this point in time I don't even know what day it is so there is no hope. After taupo back up to Auckland through some bubbling mud and where Hobbiton was built then to Paihia which is the place to go if you want to see the bay of islands.  I had planned to go to Paihia last as I was told that december is the beginning of summer so of course it rains when I get there.  Anyway I went to where they signed the Treaty of Waitangi which is a beautiful place regardless of the rubbish weather.  The treaty outlined how the land would be sold/land rights of the Maori people which is not being debated.  Lots of Maori's attended arriving in canoes they also have the largest canoe which can carry 80+ people. It was a good thing I planned to only stay for one night as the weather was still bad, however apparently they have had a draught in the Bay of Islands.  Now it is back to Auckland to start the whole journey all over again but just on the north island.

Mt Doom

 Bubbling mud.

 Lunch stop at Hobbiton

 Giant Canoe near the Treaty house.

The Treaty House.

 Maori meeting house.