Gentle Reader,

Beautiful Rolling Hills and Sheep

I am never one to disrespect a beloved landmark, but remember my description of Kiwi’s? No Hollywood (i.e. pretense/narcissism)?  Well, Hollywood made it’s way to Matamata, New Zealand in a big way- self-aggrandisment and big ego are all apart of The Hobbiton (c’mon Californians we are trying to get away from Hollywood on vacation).  Matamata is GORGEOUS lots of thoroughbred stud farms, sheep and rolling hills.  A bit like another favorite place Calgary, Matamata is green, bucolic and filled with farms.   Until you hit, The Hobbiton.

The Hobbiton Sign in Matamata

The Hobbiton is a movie set which Peter Jackson (watch out, here comes Hollywood) and the Alexander Family (sheep farmers that got really, really lucky) formed a partnership for a tiny parcel of land.  The resulting growth has brought fast food restaurants

A previously frozen and very slimy shrimp cocktail at Redoubt Cafe

Fish and Chips at Redoubt Cafe- a gut bomb

and $200.00 price tag for a family of four with kids over nine for a two hour tour (20 minutes in the gift store and 40 minute drive to the set).

Hobbit Hole

A hobbit hole only used for exterior shots nothing inside.

The hobbit garden (lots of plastic plants).

In the tour, not once is JR Tolkien referenced who is the author of the series of books which made Jackson and the Alexander Family so lucky (again, NOT ONCE).  There are stories about Peter Jackson (a dude who made a lot of money thanks to JR Tolkien!) stories about the Alexanders (the sheep farmers who are still making bank on the proceeds from the set).  My call is skip the set, enjoy the gorgeous scenery on your way to Rotorua and read the books by JR Tolkien (all under 30.00).