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blackcat20
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« on: March 23, 2007, 04:08:29 AM » |
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I'm going to New Zealand for the first time in June (for uni, but going to spend an extra 10 days), and I want to do a LOTR tour or two, so... has anyone here been on one, and can offer up recommendations?  |
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Roz
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« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2007, 04:17:35 AM » |
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savage727
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« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2007, 05:20:05 PM » |
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Great advise Roz - by the way where is Alyssa? I have not seen her here in a long time and as she went on one of those LOTR's New Zealand tours it sure would help Kate out.  I purchased a LOTR's New Zealand tour book off ebay several years ago so I know they are out there and most likely available in bookstores in Australia. Hope this helps. The tour book listed sites where all the filming was done, how to get there and showed photos of what it looks like. I packed this book away in storage last year so I don't have it's name for you unfortunately.  |
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Roz
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« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2007, 05:34:41 PM » |
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I think it would be worth dropping her a PM for advice... y'know, the sort of thing you can't get from a guide book  secret/clever things she found etc  Whereabouts will you go in NZ? How would you get around? Would you already be on South Island? |
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blackcat20
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« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2007, 09:03:39 AM » |
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Ive got the LOTR guide book; a friend bought it for me a few years ago, and it is brilliant. Unfortunately Im travelling with a non-LOTR fan (I didnt even realise they existed  ) so Im looking for a half-day guided tour. I have a whole list, but there are so many different prices, and different combinations of locations that I just dont know which to pick... Whereabouts will you go in NZ? How would you get around? Would you already be on South Island?
The conference Im going to is in Christchurch, so Ill be there for a week. Im going to do the Edoras tour while Im there (and before my friend arrives). Then we are going to travel to the Franz Josef glacier (and do the glacier walk ), then to Queenstown for three nights (LOTR tour, canyon swing  etc), then Dunedin (they have a cadbury factory!) and back to christchurch before flying home... Ill pm alyssa when i get a chance...no rush, trips not till june, but im trying to get as much booked now as possible...my first overseas trip too! |
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ocdlotr
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« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2007, 04:05:02 AM » |
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I'm going to New Zealand for the first time in June (for uni, but going to spend an extra 10 days), and I want to do a LOTR tour or two, so...
WOW! Boy, do I envy you blackcat20...just to stand where Tolkien's words came to life would send shivers through me end to end... Please post pics when you get back...and let us all get to walk a mile or two in your shoes as you experience the sublime...ahhhhhhhh!    |
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blackcat20
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« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2007, 05:04:31 AM » |
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Ive just bought a second card for my digital camera, so I promise there will be lots of photos |
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Roz
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« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2007, 01:46:53 PM » |
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Good. It sounds like you already have a lot packed in - remember, just cos you are away from home it doesn't mean you don't need sleep Ooh, and whilst you are at the Cadbury factory look for some Kiwi Royale.... MMmmmmmm |
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« Last Edit: March 26, 2007, 02:10:18 PM by Roz »
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Trey
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« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2007, 09:53:34 AM » |
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HERE I AM TO SAVE THE DAY.... http://www.lordoftheringstours.co.nz/trails_of_middle_earth.htmIt departs from Queenstown (which is a great place by the way, so much fun to be had! Make sure you go to the bar thats made of ice..) I went on this tour when I went to NZ last year. It is pretty cool, you get to see some good sites and they have replica's of the swords/helmets and you get to take photos with them. You get to see scenes mostly from TTT but there are some others thrown in as well. See where Aragorn tumbled off the cliff, the Edoras trail, the river into which Islidur fell and lost the ring, the River Anduin where they rowed down in there little boats hehe..etc etc. I can send some pics if you like It was great and the tour guide is very very knowledgable..and damn funny when he reinacts scenes! |
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« Last Edit: April 22, 2007, 10:01:02 AM by Trey »
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Brilliant Snape.... once again you've put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion!!
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blackcat20
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« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2007, 11:59:16 AM » |
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Finally an opinion on a tour! I saw that one, it looks really good....but its not particularly cheap (ive just decided to get a new car, so on a tight budget from now on). Would love to see your pics though! The tours Ive found so far are: 1. Paradise Found -Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien/Amon Hen and Rohan ($99, half day) 2. Trilogy trail -River Anduin/Pillars of the king, Ford of Bruinen, Amon Hen, Ithilien ($125, 3.5hours) 3. Mountainland Rovers -Isengard, misty mountains, Amon Hen, Lothlorien, Dunharrow, Ithilien Camp ($149, 5 hours) 4. Off Road Adventures -option 1- White Mountains, minas tirith, pillars of kings, gladden fields, Ford of Bruinen, warg attach, exodus of edoras -option 2- Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien camp, Amon Hen, misty mountains (price unknown) 5. Safari of the Rings -option 1- Minas tirith, misty mountains, pillars of the kings, site of ilidur's fall, ford of bruinen -option 2- isengard, ithilien, lothlorien, amon hen ($130 each) 6 The trails of middle earth (the one you mention) - full day, over 20 locations ($290) The problem is picking one with a good coverage of places I want to see, and not too expensive. plus im travelling with a non-fan, so i dont know how she'd feel being ditched for a whole day...id have to ask... Opinions welcome on which tour people think looks best? |
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ferdinand_the_yak
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« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2007, 05:53:51 PM » |
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I would definitely go for the Trails of Middle Earth. I know you are on a tight budget, but if you are spending money getting there and accommodation etc, you may as well go the whole hog Otherwise, I'd just pick according to which tour had my favourite scenes. Number 3 sounds good (for me) |
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blackcat20
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« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2007, 06:08:32 AM » |
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Looks like my friend is happy to come along on a tour, but the trails of middle earth is out of the question (not suprised, she just got married so money is tight for her too). Im going to do the edoras tour in christchurch as well, so I guess spreading the money around is a good idea. we thought we'd do a canyon swing too... I agree number 3 looks good; ill just have to head to the pillars of the kings myself.... its a pain that all the tours have some of the things i want to see, but not all in a single tour...  |
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« Last Edit: April 23, 2007, 06:15:27 AM by blackcat20 »
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Roz
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« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2007, 03:30:58 PM » |
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Well, I'm sure that wherever you go it will be a special day and you'll have SOOOO much to share with us all |
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Trey
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« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2007, 08:18:09 AM » |
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Honestly these two:
site of ilidur's fall, ford of bruinen
you could easily do yourself. They are both in a town called Arrowtown which is not far from Queenstown (u could prob get a taxi or bus its a small little tourist town) and if you have the guidebook then you can easily find the locations. The river is at the back of the town and its SOOO easy to spot, you can tell straight away.
I went on my tour with my friend who had only seen the first two movies (and only once) and she still loved it!!
We went to Fox Glacier (not far from Franz Josef) and it was awesome, did a helicopter ride up to the glacier and back, and walk on the glacier, its facinating, will be well worth the trek!
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Brilliant Snape.... once again you've put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion!!
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blackcat20
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« Reply #14 on: April 24, 2007, 09:44:57 AM » |
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ahhh, good advice, thank you. We are going to have a car, so self-touring is not a problem.... and this is the same friend i dragged to the LOTR exhibition when it was in sydney so she is pretty patient...
we are going to do the franz josef glacier walk...should be fun!
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blackcat20
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« Reply #15 on: June 11, 2007, 03:27:25 PM » |
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Well, 2 days until this exciting adventure begins! Im heading over to NZ on Wednesday, and going on my first LOTR tour on Friday. Im booked to go on the Edoras tour. http://www.hasslefree.co.nz/lotr.html Its a full day tour, and you actually get to go up onto "Edoras". We get a champagne picnic lunch up top too which is pretty awesome. Got a conference from Sunday to Wednesday (presenting my work on Monday)....then... Onto Franz Josef for a Glacier hike....then... Queenstown! Doing another LOTR tour, a canyon swing, and whatever other crazy things we can fit into three days. Last day in Dunedin (cadbury factory!!!) then back to Christchurch for a night before heading home... I promise lots of photos! |
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Sharon
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« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2007, 01:04:34 AM » |
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It sounds amazing. I hope you have a wonderful time Kate |
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HPfamily
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« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2007, 01:10:22 AM » |
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Sounds so exciting!!!!  Have an amazing time!!! LOTS of pics!!!! |
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savage727
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« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2007, 04:13:20 PM » |
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Hello Kate: I am so excited for you! I wish I was coming along on those cool trips. If you see anything on the trips Aragorn related please take a picture of it for me. While you are up there on Edoras check to see if the beacons are burning! Be safe and have a fun time. |
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blackcat20
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« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2007, 04:43:35 PM » |
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Apparently on the Edoras tour we get to play with replica swords, including Aragorns...so Ill do my best to get pics! Ive loaded up with two cards for my camera, so no excuses The only downside to my trip is having to give a talk....in front of at least a hundred people |
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