Remuera address to Hobbiton Movie Set private car — Khalid's business trip

The gravel crunched under my tires as I pulled up the long driveway in Remuera. Even from the road, you could tell this was a substantial place. The autumn air, crisp and clean, carried the scent of damp earth and late-blooming jasmine. It was a Wednesday morning in early October, and the sky was that perfect, pale blue that promises a lovely day. I checked the address on my phone – Khalid A., scheduled for 9:00 AM. I’d learned to be early for pickups in these wealthier Auckland suburbs; people often had precise schedules, and punctuality was key.

The front door opened before I even reached it, and a man stepped out. He was of medium height, dressed in a smart, dark suit that looked impeccably tailored, and he carried a slim leather briefcase. His handshake was firm, his smile polite. He introduced himself as Khalid and confirmed the destination: Hobbiton, near Matamata. An unusual request for business travel, I thought, but who was I to question? My job was to get people where they needed to go, comfortably and efficiently.

We loaded his briefcase into the boot, and he settled into the back seat. He spoke with a gentle accent, a lilting cadence that was pleasant to listen to. He’d flown in from Riyadh a couple of days ago, he mentioned, and had business meetings in Auckland. This trip to Hobbiton was a personal detour before heading back home later that week. He had heard a lot about it and wanted to experience it for himself. He’d read some articles and seen some pictures, but couldn’t quite grasp the scale of it, or the atmosphere he imagined.

The drive south out of Auckland is always a bit of a gamble on a Wednesday morning. The traffic can be unpredictable, especially around the Southern Motorway. We hit a bit of a crawl approaching the Bombay Hills, but it wasn’t too bad. Khalid didn’t seem bothered. He gazed out the window, watching the urban sprawl gradually give way to rolling green hills dotted with sheep. He pointed out a particularly scenic vista near Pokeno, commenting on the vibrant green of the pasture, something he said was quite different from the landscapes he was used to in Saudi Arabia. I agreed; our New Zealand countryside has a unique charm, especially after a bit of rain.

We stopped for a coffee break at a service centre just off the main highway. I got myself a flat white, and Khalid opted for a black tea. He seemed contemplative, looking through photos on his phone. He showed me a few pictures of his family – a wife and two young children. They were back in Riyadh, and he spoke of missing them. He mentioned that his youngest daughter was fascinated by stories, and he thought she might enjoy tales of hobbits and elves, even if the reality of the movie set itself was a bit more commercial than he expected.

As we continued on, he told me a little more about his work. He was involved in urban planning and infrastructure development in Riyadh, a city undergoing rapid transformation. He found the architectural styles and the approach to city design in New Zealand interesting, even if on a much smaller scale. He was curious about how we managed our infrastructure, particularly in the face of growth and environmental considerations. I shared what little I knew, mostly anecdotes from conversations with other passengers or news I'd picked up. My knowledge of urban planning is about as deep as a puddle, but I told him about the challenges of maintaining roads and managing water supply in a growing New Zealand. He listened intently, nodding and asking thoughtful questions. It was a refreshing change from most conversations, which tend to revolve around the weather or tourist hotspots.

We bypassed Hamilton and headed directly towards Matamata, cutting through the Waikato’s rich farmland. The landscape became softer, more undulating, the paddies a deeper green. The famous rolling hills that inspired the Shire began to appear in the distance. Khalid seemed to pick up on the change in scenery, a quiet excitement building. He hadn't realised how picturesque the region would be.

Pulling up to the entrance of the Hobbiton Movie Set felt like arriving at a different world, even for me, after countless trips. A gentle mist hung in the air, softening the edges of the rolling hills and making the colourful hobbit holes seem even more charming. I helped Khalid with his briefcase, and he thanked me with a warm smile. He said he was looking forward to exploring. I assured him I’d be waiting nearby at the designated pick-up spot, ready for his transfer to his accommodation in Rotorua later that afternoon, as per his booking.

Watching him walk towards the entrance, a lone figure in a suit against the whimsical backdrop, I felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. Getting someone from Riyadh to Hobbiton felt like a pretty unique way to spend a Wednesday. As I drove a short distance to find a quiet spot to wait, I couldn't help but smile, picturing the little hobbit holes and the man from the desert exploring them.