Exploring Lord of the Rings Territory with Hassle-Free Tours

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was filmed in various parts of New Zealand. Hassle-Free Tours in Christchurch offer an eight hour experience that includes visiting Mount Erebor, aka Mount Sunday, four-wheel driving, and a picnic lunch. The scenery is spectacular and the tour guide knowledgeable. He brought the movie to life with his anecdotes and willingly answered questions. The tour includes several videos that give details of how the Mt Erebor location was chosen and the logistics of filming over a period of several months. It was a fascinating experience and one I would highly recommended - especially if you are a Lord of the Rings fan.

Punting on the Avon River in Christchurch

The River Avon winds gracefully through Christchurch central in New Zealand and a top attraction is Punting on the Avon. For a reasonable price, you can enjoy a half hour trip along the river with a commentary on the sights and history of the area. The punters engage well with visitors and call out cheery greetings to people in canoes and paddleboats. The punts are appealing with padded seats and are constructed out of local wood types. As you pass under low bridges and admire historical buildings and the Botanic Gardens, you can almost imagine you’ve been transported back in history. A must do activity when visiting Christchurch.

Pearls from Shanghai

Shanghai, China is renowned for the quality and abundance of pearls produced in the area. In 2015, I visited a pearl outlet as part of guided tour and found it fascinating. Before entering the showroom, a staff member gave us a demonstration and showed us the difference between a freshwater and saltwater oyster. The different colour of pearls was also explained with the black colour being caused by sediment. The showroom was amazing with showcase after showcase of glistening pearl jewellery. Strands of white, peach, pink and black pearls lay in silk cushions and earrings and bracelets were also available. Truly a miracle of nature.

Fine Silk from Shanghai

As a child in Zimbabwe, I kept silkworms for many years. Decades later, it was fascinating to visit a silk factory in Shanghai and see how the cocoons were unravelled and the fine strands combined to make a silken thread. Not only that, whole cocoons were wet, stretched, pulled, and stretched again, until eventually they were very thin and wide. These fine layers were then placed on top of each other to from duvet inners. The guide explained that silk does not have filaments and because it is a natural fibre, is allergenic, does not hold dust and breathes well. The showroom included ranges of duvet inners and covers, sheets, pillowslips as well as a range of beautiful silk clothing.  

Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell House

The Paua Shell House as it came to be known, was situated at 258 Marine Parade, Bluff, near Invercargill in the far south of New Zealand. Over the years, Fred and Myrtle Flutey decorated their home with thousands of paua shells and became a famous attraction in the area. On their death, their grandson purchased their home and loaned the collection to the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch. The house was recreated within the museum and using photos, the collection was repositioned as it was in the original home. The display is free to enter and includes a short film about the Flutey’s and their unusual hobby.

Botanic Gardens Christchurch

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are well established and date back to 1863 when the first oak tree was planted. Well known features of the gardens include the Peacock Fountain, the rose garden and the hot houses. Displays in these conservatories range from orchids, to cacti, to ferns, to tropical plants. The rose garden is home to 104 beds and a profusion of climbing, standard and Hybrid Tea modern garden roses. The RiverAvon winds its way through the gardens and a pond attracts ducks and other birds. A tearoom offers refreshments and it’s the perfect place for a family outing or a romantic date. The gardens are open from 7am to 9pm.

Rarotonga - Island Paradise

Rarotonga is part of the Cook Islands and is a favoured destination for tourists from New Zealand and Australia. Set in the Pacific Ocean, it is the largest of the Cook Islands but still small enough to drive around in less than an hour - and that's at the top speed of 50 kmh! Favoured activities include snorkelling, cultural evenings and zipping around the island on scooters. The white coral beaches, transparent water and swaying palms give a sense of calm and peace and the underwater world of colourful fish is a top attraction. Pack your swimming gear, sunscreen, insect repellent and relax!