There And Back Again

RED CARPET TOURS
SAMPLE 12 DAY LOTR ITINERARY ~ 2006

The following is a sample itinerary only, representing a typical
monthly tour.
Details may vary from month to month according to availability of key people, places and acommodation.  Final itineraries are confirmed and emailed 4 weeks prior.
ARRIVAL DAY  1:
We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel – as 
pre-arranged.
Your hotel is The Spencer on Byron   We gather informally this evening to meet each other and prepare for our early start tomorrow.
DAY 2 :
Be ready to depart at 08.00 ~ Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton. Prepare to be enchanted by Hobbiton – a very special site to visit. Have us take your photo beneath the Party tree and outside Bag End. We will have lunch at Hobbiton in ‘The Shire’s Rest’, on the farm.
In Rotorua later this afternoon, we’ll show you some geothermal
activity and suggest optional activities ~ such as a relaxing soak in hot mineral
Polynesian
Spa Pools and /or in the evening a chance to experience a traditional
Maori concert and meal (Hangi).
Overnight – Lake Plaza Hotel, Rotorua.
DAY 3 :
From Rotorua to Ohakune, via the Wai-o-tapu bubbling mud pools and Huka Falls to Lake Taupo, where we stop for ‘Second Breakfast’ on our way to  Mt. Ruapehu and the sites of Mordor, Emyn Muil and Mt Doom. See the spot where Sam and Frodo were lost amid volcanic lava flows and where they first met Gollum.  Later we’ll visit Gollum’s fishing pool, where Andy
Serkis was careful not to plunge over the waterfall !
Overnight – The Powderhorn Chateau or The Bayview Chateau Tongariro ~ where the Stars stayed.  (You can request a Star’s room.)
DAY 4 :
Ohakune to Wellington via the River Anduin.  First up there’s an
optional extra activity at Gravity Canyon for the mad and daring  ~ 
great viewing for the  rest of us !
After lunch, a visit to the site where the Elves are leaving Rivendell
for the West  and Arwen has her vision of Aragorn and their son.
Next, the  Black Rider’s Ranch  ~ we meet him in person and enjoy his hospitality. He trained the horses , taught the actors to ride and also had several ket roles in the trilogy.
Then, on to Wellington City – just in time to see  the ”Get off the
road!” site.
Tonight we suggest dining at “The Green Parrot”- a favourite of Viggo’s.
Tonight and tomorrow night in Wellington, staying at The Duxton Hotel.
DAY 5 :
We are joined at breakfast by the Calligrapher & Map Maker, Daniel
Reeve. He’ll show samples of his exquisite work ~ and some are for
sale.
Next, a “Wellywood!” city tour past Stone Street Studios,  Weta
Workshop & the Chocolate Fish Cafe – second breakfast – a favourite Hobbit eating  place.
Your afternoon is free to explore Wellington.
You may choose to visit Te Papa Museum – open till 9 p.m. ( LOTR 
souvenirs. )
Dinner tonight ?  Perhaps “Strawberry Fare” – just up from the Embassy Theatre where the ROTK Premiere was held.
DAY 6 :
Today we call in at the Elven Cloak factory  and see how the cloaks are made ~ opportunities for purchasing and photographs.  Then it’s over the hills  to the beautiful tranquility of the Leaving Lothlorien  site~   and where Smeagol  strangled Deagol  !!
We take a side trip to the wine district of Martinborough for lunch.
On our return to Wellington we’ll take time for a visit to Rivendell
(Kaitoke Park) and the gardens of Isengard.
This evening  we fly (45 minutes) to Christchurch. Copthorne Central
Hotel.
(A special guest who starred in the movie, joins us for dinner tonight.)
DAY 7:
Your South Island adventure begins. It’s time to head for the site and magnificence that is Edoras.  We’ll buy a picnic lunch today, as we are
going to a remote area. Bring shorts and sturdy footwear. We have three
streams to cross on our way to the summit !
Later we’ll view beautiful, mountain fed, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, plus N.Z’s highest Mountain – Mt. Cook,  over 12,000 ft  high.
Overnight at Twizel’s  McKenzie Country Inn.
DAY 8 :
We depart at around 9-00 a.m. for the Pelennor Fields . This area once rang to the thunderous sound of 300 horses on the charge.
Moving on, we check out the site of The Great Chase and then on to
scenic Lake Wanaka for lunch.
After lunch we’ll take time out for you to try your archery skills – do
we have a budding Legolas amongst us ?
If Ian Brodie, author of the LOTR Guide Book,  is available we may be able to say hello while we’re in the locality. He manages The Warbirds Museum at the small airport across from the Archery.
Overnight – Cromwell. The Golden Gate Lodge. This is a great place to study the night sky – have you seen the Southern Cross ?
DAY 9 :
We head out to Alexandra this morning, to where the Rohan village was burned.
Can you find the canyon where the leaf brooch was dropped ? ( Dwarves are ‘dangerous over short distances’ here !)
After lunch at The Old Bakery Cafe in Ophir, ( population 50 ! ), we
visit the locations of Amon Hen and Ithilien. The remainder of the
afternoon is free to enjoy Queenstown.
Overnight – Queenstown. The Novotel Gardens Hotel.
DAY 10 :
We’ll take a picnic lunch and an overnight bag today as we head to the  Mavora Lakes where there are 4 LOTR sites  * the Orc funeral pyre,  *Fangorn Forest, * the log which concealed Merry & Pippin before Frodo left the fellowship, * and where Sam and Frodo paddled away on the next stage of their journey.
Later you may like to take the jet boat down the River Anduin or take a helicopter ride to Peter Jackson’sfavourite location.
Tonight you may choose to eat where the stars did – Redcliffs Cafe.
Over night in Te Anau.  The Luxmore Hotel.
DAY 11:
You have the option today of joining a coach & cruise trip to Milford
Sound and catching up with the group in Queenstown later in the day.  
Your Guide can advise you about this.
Today our group will travel to Queenstown,  via Arrowtown ~ a charming old settlement, historically significant in the gold rush days of the 1860s.  It’s also the location where Isildur was attacked by Orcs at Gladden Fields.
This afternoon and tomorrow you are free to pursue optional activities:
+There is time today to take the Heliworks flight to the Ford of
Bruinen.
+Or the trip up Deer Park Heights  ?
*Accommodation in Queenstown again for the next two nights.
DAY 12 : The last day of our “Fellowship”.
Devote today to further optional activities and last minute shopping. 
How about
+A 4 wheel drive tour to the Pillars of Argonath with Nomad Safaris ?
+Dart River Stables – Horse trekking  ?
+A jet boat ride or bungy jump  ?
Your Guide will discuss options with you and assist or advise with
bookings.
Tonight we’ll ride the Skyline Gondola up for our farewell dinner at
the Skyline Restaurant ( included in tour costs).
DEPARTURE DAY:
Alas ~  your journey through Middle-earth with Red  Carpet Tours, is at an end.
We thank you for travelling with us  …..  there and back again…..
Haere ra  ~ Good-bye from us all at Red Carpet Tours.

Hello There,,,

       The trip is paid for ! As of today, the tour with relaxingjourneys is all paid for!!!! All that hard work and overtime has paid off. I can’t believe it. I have never worked so hard in my life. I had 3 months to come up with $12,000, and I did it with 1 month to spare! If I keep up this pace, I will double my normal salary. That is mind blowing to me. I never thought I could do it. But I did. It goes to show you, that if the will is there and with hard work, anything could be accomplished. I know this is only a vacation to some people, but to me and the boys, its a chance of a lifetime. When i looked at my last paycheck and knew that all my hard work was over, I cried.  I had to get up and leave the room, I was overcome with emotion. I have never climbed a mountain this high or had so much pressure on me. I didn’t want to break the Boys hearts, if I failed.  But it’s done,, and now I can enjoy the rest of the summer. And to look forward to actually going on the trip this Octber.  Thanks to everyone who had some part to play in this saga, those who put up with me being crabby and short and tired all the time. And thanks to everyone who said a kind word of encouragement, It didn’t fall on Deaf Ears, Namarie Max

   I’ve always have been into fantasy and action movies.  The movie Star Wars was a great movie! When I saw Star Wars-Revenge of The Sith on Wednesday at 12:00 A.M., I was really excited because my uncle Max and I dressed up as 2 Jedi’s.  We thought people would laugh at us, but my Uncle really didn’t care.  The only bad part was my brother Tom wanted to dress up, but we didn’t have enough costumes. My brother, Rob, and my Gram Kathleen wanted to come too, so they did.  My parents didn’t come because they were in Las Vegas. 

    So, on Wednesday May 18th, we went to bed really early.  After, we woke up, it was about 8:00 p.m. We ate for a little bit, then we went outside and it was pitch black.  My Uncle and I put our costumes on and we were very excited. Then we grabbed our light sabres and started taking pictures, (see below), so that we can remember that night. My brother Tom also took pictures too.  It was cool because the pictures looked so real.  The only was Tom took pictures was, we switched costumes with each other.  My Gram  was very happy for us .    Before we left my brother Rob said ” you look really stupid” . So we jumped in the car and we took off to see Star Wars.  When we got to the movie theater, we were re-thinking our decision to dress up.  We were getting shy, but my Uncle didn’t care, but I was the one that was shy.  But we dressed up anyway and took off with our light sabres. When we got in the theater everyone started cheering, someone shook our hands, and I was really happy.  Someone said ” You look really cool “. So when it hit 12 :00 on wednesday it was actually thursday, the movie started.  When we sat down there was a girl dressed up as a jedi just like us.  the movie started and it was awesome.  During the movie everyone was waving their light sabres. I thought it was cool.  After the movie, people were still cheering for everyone that dressed up.  We got in the car and took off.  When we got home, it was about 2:30 am. One cool part was that I didn’t have to go to school the next day. 

That was one of the best days of my life. Now I know that I don’t care about what people  say to me.  I would dress up for the Lord of the Ring, before, but this day was much cooler because my Uncle dressed up with me.  My Uncle was very happy for me, because he didn’t think I would dress up.  Then after that day, Tom thought it would be fun to dress up, for another movie.  I will never  forget that night. 

                              Tim  oct 7, 2005 periord 4

Hello There,,

 Today I went and applied for my passport at the post office, For anyone who hasn’t applie and would like to someday. it cost $97 dollars, I had to bring in my birth certificate and a picture id. They keep your birth certificate and you get it back with your passport 6-8 wks later. Very painless process. Now all thats left is to save a little more money and to start packing,,,,!!!!!!! Namarie Max

Today is the 3rd day of July, and it really feels like this are going well. Michelle took the Boys today for their passports. 6 weeks from now, we should be recieving them in the mail. I still haven’t applied for mine, I’ll do that this wednesday, the 5th. I wanted to get their applications out of the way first. I was a little worried, something might got wrong. So now, no excuses I will apply soon.  In the next couple of days I should have some even more exciting news, concerning the trip, so stay tuned.  Namarie    Max