Coming home to New Zealand from Fiji, our family holiday ended today with a stop at The Hobbit movie’s filming location.
Middle-earth. Yes, that’s the name the world knows it as, but in fact The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the soon-to-be released The Hobbit, filmed the village scenes from the New Zealand town known as Matamata.
Ironically, I’m not new to this town. I was born in Matamata and lived there until the age of seventeen. Hmm, although I don’t recall seeing any Hobbits back then.
Now though, they’re in abundance. Hobbits are everywhere. You can even book the village location–which is still kept in the eye-catching condition as seen in the movies–for your wedding snaps.
So, after touring Hobbiton’s office, I snapped an image of the plaque outside. It’s a nostalgic-cute saying written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
After taking this image, I dashed across the main street with my ten-year-old, and he eagerly took a photograph of me with Gollum. Not the real Gollum, because sadly, who knows where he is.
It was a wonderful trip, and now that I’m home, it’s time to get back to the business of writing. Which for me is the second book in the Magio-Earth series. The first, titled “Protector” releases on 7th January. I can’t wait for that day. My debut novel. I still have to pinch myself that it’s being published. Thanks so much for checking out my blog and catching a little of my family holiday.
* * * *
PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
Awesome pictures! What a neat story. Such beautiful country. It must be fun .
Hi Jo. A little country, but one that rocks. Go NZ.
Imagine being in Hobbiton! Well done, m’Lady Joanna for bringing i us this post … and monster bundles of best wishes fro January 7th,,, it’ll be GREAT !!! :):) cheers
Thanks Seumas. I can’t wait.
Ohhh, I am so jealous! Wish I was there! xoxo
Hi Ksenia. Hobbiton was pretty cool.
Wow, this is, dare I say (write?)…precious!
Sorry, I went for the obvious joke. Gollum made me do it!
Glad you had a great time, and thanks for sharing the pics.
Thanks, Dana. It was a blast.
So very cool! I’ve been a rabid LOTR fan since high school and fell in love with the NZ location shoot for the movies. Would love to visit. How awesome to see these pics. Thanks for sharing them, Joanne!
Hi Mae, the town is gearing up for The Hobbit’s movie release. I’ll have to pop back there when the cast turn up for pre-promotion. The dates were listed in the tour office. I’ll take more pictures for sure. Yeah, me and real Gollum next time. 🙂