The Big Day

The two standout destinations of this trip were locked into the one tour, departing from Tuaranga - Hobbiton and Rotorua. Fortunately I booked this independently as for whatever reason, Royal Caribbean had cancelled all exorbitantly priced tours to each of both destinations (they didn't offer any trips to both), claiming a lack of drivers.
This was interesting as on disembarking, there was a tourist desk offering trips to each location, but not both. It took a fair effort to preorganize ANY tour that covered both destinations so it was great to find such a well reviewed private operator with 'Auckland and Beyond' for all 12 of us.
We met our guide Warren waiting for us at the pier at around 9.15am. We piled 4 prams and 12 people into our private Mercedes minivan and set on our way for an hour drive to Hobbiton.
Warren advised that a booking mix-up meant our group had been split into two for Hobbiton, 6 at 10.30 and 6 at 11.15. By the time we made it for a photo finish at 10.30, that had been rectified with all 12 of us to go at 11.15. This gave us time for a coffee and snack at Hobbits Rest before setting off to explore the Hobbiton set.
Our day at Hobbiton consisted of about a 2 hour guided tour and walk around the village straight out of the Shire from Lord of the Rings. The place far exceeded expectations, with the tiniest details and props making you feel like youd stepped into the movie.
Sadly none of the little homes/ hobbit holes here were more than an exterior facade, with interior scenes shot elsewhere. Nonetheless we visited/saw dozens of them before crossing the site of Bilbos farewell party, over mill bridge to the Green Dragon for refreshments (pale ale, amber ale, stouts or non alcoholic ginger beer for the kiddos).
The gorgeous sunny weather further added to the immersion and atmosphere of the village, truly picturebook.
After a stop in the gift shop we returned to Warren and piled into the bus for the journey to Rotorua. Whilst the kids had been fantastic for the first leg journey, Myles and Axel, side by side, opted to engage in a screaming match for the entirety of the drive to Rotorua. Whilst our guide appeared to be a wealth of information, this was sadly unable to be utilised for the day.
The site of Te Anau at Rotorua offers unique geothermal geysers, a kiwi sanctuary and cultural site. Again, we were received by a private guide to take us through the area for a couple hours. Firstly to a kiwi sanctuary to view the iconic local birds. Despite being clearly advised not to photograph the animals, a certain someone was unable to resist and received a deserved scolding and ejection to the embarrassment for us all. That aside, it was great to see these birds up close, much rounder and larger than I remembered or expected.
Onwards to the geothermal site, to feel the heat, observe the bubbling earth and behold the erupting water abound.
Ryland enjoyed laying out and warming himself on some smoith, naturally heated stone faces. The kids all ran amok as our guide regaled us with stories and information about our location.
Sadly, no haka on show today I thought the kids would love, but we did wander over to observe and learn about Mouri crafts such as woodworking, carving and weaving.
With the kids tiring (and Myles bleeding from a nasty fall) we grabbed our souvenirs and via a supermarket stop at Woolworths (New Zealand dubbed - Count Down) for child related supplies, made the hour scream-a-thon drive back to the ship by 6.30pm.
A big applause was due to our guide (at wits and exhaustions end) for getting us around on todays grand adventure. That tour company, and our guide are based out of the Auckland area (requiring our guide to depart there at 5am and return by 10pm) and had, prior to my request, never taken a group to both Hobbiton and Rotorua on the one day, from Tauranga port. Keep 'Auckland and Beyond Tours' in mind whenever you're on in the area in New Zealand.
The majority of us headed to an impromptu dinner at a different restaurant segment, 8 of us fitting on a circular table, much better for conversation than our regular long table.
Dinner was again, just ok, and again, extremely slow going.. over two hours from arrival til walking out... long dinners with tired kids prone to screaming is especially rough for tired parents when glaring cruisers get their a game on..
Still, we returned to our cabins happy, (a little sunkissed) and thankful for a great day, with plans of a relaxing, leisurely beach stroll and aquarium visit at Napier tomorrow. Or so we thought until the announcement..Okumaya devam et