Sunday, March 24 - Corrugated metal in Middle Earth

We visited two small towns in central North Island that each has its
own little hook for tourism.  Tirau use corrugated metal, ubiquitous
Down Under, in fanciful ways to draw attention to itself.  This is the
visitor center.

A twenty foot tall Moses calls out from the church
next door.

This stylish Pukeko wears fancy high heels.  The
poor bloke sitting near her looks a little out-classed.

There were dozens of examples of the wavy art form around town.

The metal on this old Ford Zephyr is not corrugated.  A fine looking little
car though, don't you think.

Next stop, Matamata.  The elaborate film set for Hobbiton is on a farm
about 15 kilometers from here, and for only $75 a head you can take a bus
out there and walk around it.  Of course, we didn't go.  But the visitor center
in town has had a remake by having this hobbit-like shell built over the old
exterior. 

Gollum has stolen my precious.

This isn't the actual site of the set, which can be found a kilometer away hidden
in the next valley.  But you certainly get a feel for the landscape Peter Jackson
chose to represent the Shire.