Top tip for visiting hobbiton!

It’s impossible to get a bad photo in Hobbiton, it really is. Our tip to anyone doing the Hobbiton Movie Set tour is don’t feel too rushed to get to the front of your group. The tour guide usually speaks very clearly to be heard by the entire group. Plus, you can get the best photo from the back of the group, as you have less people to avoid. That was our tactic this time we strolled around Hobbiton and it really worked well! (Have you noticed how crazy we went with the 360 images?!) Some other girls had the same idea, so we all helped each other out with photos. Team work!

Stuffing ourselves like filthy little Hobbitses!

As night falls, the lanterns of the Green Dragon Tavern glisten in the distance and reflect on the lake. Ah, the fantasy is alive! As is our stomachs in anticipation for this Green Dragon feast!

Upon entering the Green Dragon, we are given a complimentary beverage of Southfarthing beer, cider or ginger beer. Robin takes a cider like a teenager discovering alcohol for the first time, and Laura get’s a good ol’ beer in a ceramic cup fit for a Hobbit. She’s a classy lady.

Our host gathers us around what we can only assume is the entrance to the dining area laid out behind some curtains. With curtains comes a grand reveal of the three giant tables full of food in a medieval style! (Or should we say, Middle-earth style? Same thing, right?) Stacked upon tiers of decorated candles, flowers and fresh capsicums and garlic (which we find out is real later when Robin starts eating a full raw capsicum), is roast chicken, tender pork, Cumberland sausage, stuffed butternut squash, salad, stew, mushrooms, caramelised onions, and PO-TA-TOES!

What munching in Middle-earth looks like in virtual reality…

The… food… is… sensational. We help ourselves to first course, then second course was compulsory apparently, so we couldn’t argue with that. Food was given with great company as we were surrounded by keen travellers and Lord of the Rings’ nerds. Even before dessert, Robin is mumurming that he is so full already… Yet, with glutony in his eyes, he forks the food in his mouth and shares some chicken with the resident cat who has taken a shine to him.

Plenty of time is given to have a look around this intricately carved Green Dragon pub, and mingle with our fellow Hobbits, until dessert is served! Cooked pear, sticky toffee pudding, honey yoghurt, stuffed apple, fresh fruit and, Kiwi favourite, pavlova. Robin goes nuts on the pavlova because he is having far too much fun stealing Laura’s servings when she is not looking. Oh how he will regret that move…

The final nighttime stroll

Lanterns in hand, we have one last look around Hobbiton now in complete darkness exept for the lights of the Hobbit holes, the authentic-looking pathway lanterns, and the Southern Hemisphere stars. Robin is starting to keel over, saying: “I ate way too much, I ate way too much.”

There’s nothing quite like ending your Middle-earth experience on a beautiful night in a beautiful location. But now, it’s time to transport ourselves back to reality and back on the road to find our way to our next overnight stop, Hamilton. However, as Laura is disturbed by the groaning noises coming from the driver’s seat. Robin is leaning over the steering wheel, looking as fit as a mountain troll.

“I am so uncomfortable,” he wimpers over and over again, flinging his body all around the driver seat like a crazed orc. He’s French, you know, so he gets a little dramatic but he’s in quite a bit of pain as his body can’t seem to digest the banquet he just gorged on. Not even a Hobbit would be able to consume what he’s just had. This just makes Laura’s time at Hobbiton all that more sweeter, as she clearly had an epic night living in one of her favourite movie trilogies of all time!

See us tomorrow, where we’ll see if Robin survives the night.