To Matamata

For my last day in Auckland, I took an easy morning and read before Alec and I climbed up Mt. Albert, my 3rd and final volcano in Auckland. There were lots of dogs off-leash at this one (which made it the best one). I got a few gorgeous views of Auckland before I headed to Matamata, the closest town to Hobbiton. I got BBQ flavored cheese puffs called Rashuns for lunch and ate them on the bus ride to Matamata. The drive was beautiful. It felt like I was in Middle Earth and could see Sam and Frodo hiking through the mountains we passed, even the visitor's center in Matamata looked like it belonged in the Shire. My hostel was a cool place where everyone was either working at or visiting Hobbiton. I'm excited to visit the Shire tomorrow.