Paul and I didn't stay up to watch the New Year in - we were tired and Paul had to be up early this morning for the Maasdam's arrival in Wellington. I believe that staff, when off duty, partied the night and wee hours away. There had been parties for guests and there was also a count-down into New Year.
Despite last night's hard partying guests were up in the morning ready to go on tours or to catch the shuttle bus into Wellington to make the most of any shops were open.
A studio in what looks like an industrial area |
After the Weta Workshop tour our guide gave us a quick drive through Miramar, pointing out film studies, houses of directors, lodgings for actors and much more.
We then headed towards Wellington's Mount Victoria where the forested areas of the mountain were used to depict Hobbiton Woods, where the hobbits hid from the black riders. Our guide showed us a couple of areas within the forest and then showed us snapshots of a film scene - showing the exact area that we were now facing and describing the filmed scene. It was very interesting.
Our driver/guide showing us a photo of a film scene at its location |
Although I am not particularly a fan of Lord of the Rings, I was glad to get out on the tour to see how things were done. It made me appreciate how much hard work went into producing it, as well as other films.
Christina, from the shops, had not had a good day. She had been on a tour and unfortunately someone in the group was very difficult for much of the time and purporting to be in a certain position, which she was not. Eventually Christina had had enough and basically ended up telling the person to shut up. The events were duly discretely noted and reported when she got back to the ship just in case the obnoxious person caused any further problems.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Weta Workshop & Miramar
A film studio lies behind the gates of what looks like an industrial area |
Mt Victoria film location
Path heading towards a film location |
Guests with a 'still' of a Lord of the Rings scene in front of its filmed location |
A guest with one of the props from Lord of the Rings that our driver/guide had brought along from the Weta Workshop |
Views from Mt Wellington
The airport is in the distance on the natural land bridge which separates Miramar from Wellington |
Miramar is somewhere over across the bay |
Wellington, its stadium and the port |
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