hardyakka_mate
Super Freak
As an avid Middle-Earth fan, one of my dreams came through to fruition last week when I (finally) visited Hobbiton and of course, the Weta Cave in New Zealand. I was able to meet the uber-nice flamer Annabel of S&F, and for the second time, the very talented Weta artists, Leonard Ellis and Daniel Falconer.
(the 1st time was just a few months ago at Supanova Sydney). I bought the Weta Cave versions of the mini-statues and the barrel riders. I have Bilbo barrel rider (non-Weta Cave) and thought of picking up a Weta Cave version. I didn't order Bombur barrel rider when it came up because my plan was to get the Weta Cave version, and that's what I did. Imagine my surprise, when upon arriving back in Sydney, a mysterious package from Weta showed up. For a moment, I thought it was the Set 3 Fellowship but the package was a bit small for it. I kept on thinking of what I could've possibly ordered, but I couldn't figure it out; nothing seemed to fit the size of the package. And so when I opened the package, I almost fell off my seat as it was a 'Thank You' present from Weta: A 'Thank You' card, a Weta catalogue, and a Bombur barrel rider! I couldn't believe it that Weta would send me such a gift! Now, I actually have 2 versions of each barrel rider so far: a regular and a Weta Cave version 
. The Bombur now has a special meaning for me as it was Weta's gift! Wow, thanks to Weta. They never cease to amaze me - how they treat us fans is beyond words! 
(the 1st time was just a few months ago at Supanova Sydney). I bought the Weta Cave versions of the mini-statues and the barrel riders. I have Bilbo barrel rider (non-Weta Cave) and thought of picking up a Weta Cave version. I didn't order Bombur barrel rider when it came up because my plan was to get the Weta Cave version, and that's what I did. Imagine my surprise, when upon arriving back in Sydney, a mysterious package from Weta showed up. For a moment, I thought it was the Set 3 Fellowship but the package was a bit small for it. I kept on thinking of what I could've possibly ordered, but I couldn't figure it out; nothing seemed to fit the size of the package. And so when I opened the package, I almost fell off my seat as it was a 'Thank You' present from Weta: A 'Thank You' card, a Weta catalogue, and a Bombur barrel rider! I couldn't believe it that Weta would send me such a gift! Now, I actually have 2 versions of each barrel rider so far: a regular and a Weta Cave version . The Bombur now has a special meaning for me as it was Weta's gift! Wow, thanks to Weta. They never cease to amaze me - how they treat us fans is beyond words!
) would definitely be a treat for a Middle Earth fan. I only got to visit Hobbiton (in Matamata) and Weta Cave (in Wellington). Because of time constraints, I wasn't able to go to the South Island where Queenstown is where they filmed the snowy mountains scenes and other breathtaking sceneries in the movies. I will definitely come back to NZ and do a more proper Middle Earth tour.
. The Weta folks at the Weta Cave are topnotch!
Even with a time constraint thats a nice trip to see those things. I'm jealous. Someday when I come down I'm gonna make a nice long trip out of it.
...maybe one day!!
