Hobbiton Trip

On Friday, February 26 Nancy and I left early in the morning for Matamata where Hobbition is. John was our guide for the day and drove us up there teaching us that kiwis grow on a vine and about how Dan Carter and Micheal Jones are amazing rugby players for the All Blacks. We went to Hobbiton and had the most amazing time, but I can't say more because I signed my life way saying I wouldn't tell anything about our experience there, so I will just say it was incredible.

After seeing Hobbiton, Matamata and the Shires Rest Cafe, John drove us up to Tay Street along the east coast beaches. We stopped at two beautiful white sand surf beaches Tay Street and Hybiscus Beach. They were gorgeous and the waves were just amazing. There was even an under 19 surf competition going on. So cool. John treated us to lunch at the Tay Street cafe where I had amazing satay beef kabobs with lots of veggies which I have been craving.  I really don't get many vegetables here.

We then went to the most gorgeous lookout of the Pacific Ocean in Kaiaua. It had a stunning view. I could have spent the whole day just taking in the view from the lookout. We continued our journey up to the Brighton reserve, which Nancy and I would love to go back to. Another gorgeous white sand beach with very few people. I cannot even begin to explain how gorgeous most of these places were.  We met one of John's friends and drove through this cute mining community.

We then headed up to Paeora where L&P is famous for being made. The soda is naturally produced and then the lemon is added no artificial flavoring and carbonation needed. We drove back to Auckland through Maratai and the back of Beachland and went through the Bay of Plenty region, all of which were gorgeous and we didn't think we would get to see.Having the beach on one side and the rain forest on the other is such an experience.We really couldn't have had a more perfect day.