Earthquake 20 January 2014

Earthquake occurred while we were having dinner.  I checked that morning to see if any larger earthquakes had occurred.  Even though the magnitude was greater than the earthquakes in August because of the depth (33 km) it wasn't considered severe.  The quake was rather extended rather than quick and sharp like the ones in August.  There have been numerous after shocks of 4.0 and greater.  There was damage up around Masterton and the surrounding area but no severe damage reported in Wellington.  We will see if any of the prepared probates/wills have fallen to the floor like they did in August.

Hobbiton - North Island

The sign into Hobbiton.  You park at the gift shop where you buy your pass and then take a bus up to Hobbiton.  The owners of the land that was used for Hobbiton became partners with the movie studio and gets a percentage of the profits.

One of the road signs.

 

Bilbo's home.  There is no interior only the outside was used in the movie's.  The interior scenes were done on the movie sets.

 

 This is the party tree.

 

Picture of a couple of the Hobbiton dwellings.

 

 

Another Hobbit dwelling...lots of flowers...a number of staff are working on the homes and yards each day.

 

 

Beautiful flowers and gardens are around each dwelling.

 

 

This is down by the pond just before you get to the pub.

 

This is inside the pub. They give you a free drink at the end of the tour.  You can have either Bundaberg Ginger Beer (non alcoholic), cider or beer (both contain alcohol).   Mom didn't hear that part and ordered a cider...she had a sip and shuddered and asked me to take a sip...right off I knew what it was but mom wasn't sure, she thought that it might have gone bad, needless to say she had the rest of my Ginger Beer (I like Ginger Beer...oh well).

This is a wood sculpture of Smaug inside the pub.

 

Waitomo - Glow Worms

Picture was not taken by me but was taken from the internet.  But this is exactly as they look and it is a beautiful thing to see.  A guide takes you through on a small boat that he pulls along by hand so he can stop at any time and gives you plenty of time to view them, pictures are not allowed.

Waitomo Caves New Zealand

Waitomo Caves - North Island - New Zealand.  This was taken in front of a green screen and then they put various backgrounds behind you and then charge you $37 to buy them...which we did.  The little cords that are hanging down actually glow a light blue similar to looking at the night sky.  The little bubbles are actually the larvae and the strings are sticky and insects will get caught on them and the glow worms will eat these insects.  It is an interesting experience that is done totally in the dark and pictures aren't allowed.  It was beautiful and it was looked similar to looking at a star filled sky.