Who’s Up for Party Business at Hobbiton?

We were all set to go West, when we heard about the upcoming Evening Banquet to be hosted by Mr. Bilbo Baggins at The Shire on Middle Earth. Without hesitation, we changed course, managed to get an invite, and bore through the 16-hours-plus travel to the land beyond Oz, New Zealand.

Hobbiton, recently awarded as the top international destination in New Zealand, is understandably a mecca for every LOTR or The Hobbit fan. People from all over the globe are known to come dressed up in their favorite hobbit costumes, while some from other realms even come dressed as Harry Potter, Star Wars or Storybrooke characters. Our party guides swore they’ve seen it all.

I admit I’m not a die-hard fan (I haven’t even read the books). Ask me a question about a character or event in any of the trilogies, and I probably wouldn’t know or have forgotten the answer already. But ever since Peter Jackson captured on film and revealed to the world the beauty of The Shire, I have been dreaming about this piece of heaven on earth. And when I found out that they preserved the movie set to make it possible for non-Hobbits to visit, I knew I have just to be part of Middle Earth.

So we arranged, and worked our itinerary around to be on time for the party. We flew, then traveled by bus, and found our way to a quaint provincial town called Matamata in the Waikato region, which boomed and gained its rightful pin on the globe after the birth of the hobbits.

Hobbiton did not play according to the movie in my mind – – it was better. Magical. Surreal. Have I landed yet? Obviously still on high. Here, let me share with you my Hobbiton story trail…

From the Hobbiton-inspired Matamata i-Site or tourist center, we boarded the last van going to Shire’s Rest where all invited (registered) party-goers were set to converge for the evening banquet.

Here’s another look. Isn’t it a beauty? This one-of-a-kind tourist center is an exciting preview of what’s to come. It is rarely without a bus outside like this one on standby to shuttle visitors to The Shire.

Along the way, you’ll see relaxing views of rolling hills and clusters of sheep.

According to our Kiwi driver, they are mainly bred for meat and wool, which they send to China to make, and China sends back for them to buy as carpets. Uh-huh.

After about 20 minutes, we arrived at Shire’s Rest, to register our names, along with the other party goers. We have a few minutes to spend before another bus takes us to The Shire, so we browsed through the cafe and souvenir shop for some gifts. Then, off we go.

Here’s a look at the enchanting Shire at sundown. So magical.

Following the beautiful lilting English voices (in NZee accent) of our party guides, we took our time going up and down the hill visiting around 44 hobbit holes and listening to tales about the party-loving hobbits and how the eccentric Peter Jackson brought them all to life on film. Simply glorious.

One…

Two…

Three…

18…

28…

39…

Finally, at Bag End. Ooops, no admittance except on party business! Good for me!

Autumn at The Shire. On our way to Sam and Rosie’s place.

At the end of the walk, our party guides brought us to The Green Dragon Inn alive with hobbit party music for a pre-dinner drink.

I opted for the highly recommended Apple Cider to warm me up as we looked over the lake up to the hobbit holes all lighted up like colored stars in the night.

And then, the evening banquet…

Great music, overflowing food, great company.

Then just when you thought your stomach is full, they come out with trays of decadent desserts.

What a feast!

We needed to walk off all that food so, with magical lamps, we took one last walk around The Shire.

We stopped at the Party place – a big open field of grass with a huge tree, where our mischievous party guides asked us to form a ring and – – guess what – – dance!!!

It’s tradition, they say. So there we were… dancing our signature moves under the stars and a full moon, while Dan, Sam and a few die hard fans sang their hearts out a hobbit party song to get us going. What fun!

Sorry no dancing pics, it would have been nice to document but I too was busy dancing. I live for moments like this!

With Sam, our favorite party guide, who taught us about the Southern Cross and where to find it in the night sky. As he explained, it can only be seen in New Zealand and that’s why it’s in their national flag. Thanks Sam! Not only do you look like a Baldwin, you’re too kind for words.

Hobbiton, and to all the good hearted souls who work to keep the magic alive … Thank You! I will carry this moment with me for always.

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This raw mobile story is written while waiting at the bus stop of Matamata i-site and aboard InterCity bus as I struggle with my goodbye to Hobbiton. (Originally posted May 2, 2018)