Recently the Hobbit and crew came to Wellington, and I was there to see them. In several of my trips to New Zealand I noted the Lord of the Rings influence, but didn’t partake of any of the fad events or tours. I do love the Lord of the Rings books and movies but I could do without the official tour of the place where Gandalf blew his nose, or Frodo said “Oh Sam!” I have much better things to do while in New Zealand than see the artifacts from these successful movies.
However on this latest trip I was fascinated by the larger than life displays that greeted me at the airport in Wellington as well as the visitor center in Wellington. Inside the airport security area was a food court with Gollum trying to catch fish in an eye-catching sculpture hanging from the ceiling.
Let’s go fishing
Not much farther away was Gandalf riding on the back of a flying eagle also suspended from the ceiling. Many a tourist and child gawked at the size and life-like qualities of these charters from the Hobbit, myself included.
Flying high with a wizard
Next up was when we came back to the airport to check in for our flights out of Wellington we saw a scary rendition of Smaug the dragon with fire in his eyes, and the eyes open and close! Good stuff for all the hobbit and trilogy fans indeed.
I see you
Last but not least of these surprises was the biggest, baddest, I’m-going-to-smash-your-head orc at the visitor center. He was my favorite of them all. Who knows how long these figures will be on display but I hope you get to see them all if you are going to Wellington anytime soon. Be sure and send me a selfie by your favorite if you go.
Me and my new bodyguard, photo by A. Okabe
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