>Re LOTR: at some point you should make an excuse to come to NZ; Hobbiton is an easy drive from Auckland Airport and Mount Doom is great for walking and site-seeing if you are so inclined. In Winter you can ski on it (safe now that Frodo and Gollum cleared out the bad dudes)

I may have to battle Alan Griver and others on the VFP team for a trip like this. :) We don't have plans for a trip there at this time, but myself and our team members make it a point to speak at local VFP groups even when on vacation. I will keep NZ in mind as one of many possible visits.