Here be Elves

I’d forgotten about the Lord of the Rings, where New Zealand was the star performer in the movies. However, I’ve been swiftly reminded of it. 

I’m staying in a motel complex that was once a hospital, built during the war. I’m in the furthermost building in the complex - up on the hill, and I suspect it was the officer’s quarters. From my window I can see most of the buildings spread out before me.

Not far away is Kaitoke Regional Park, which has some lovely walks. It was also the site of Rivendell in the film, and the arch to enter into Rivendell has been recreated where it was in the film.

The park has lots of silver ferns and other endemic New Zealand flora, which must have been a bit difficult to remove from the film.