We stepped off the bus into unfamiliar territory as a cloud of smoke and dust plumed around us and the bus lurched away. Ominous clouds formed overhead (attributing to our rain curse of course) and Shaun and I looked around curiously.
So this is what “Middle Earth” looks like. Or, in other words, the quaint tourist trap that every traveler finds themselves in. While this isn’t considered a World Wonder by any means, it is still pretty neat.
I couldn’t help but wonder what person thought it was a fantastic idea to capitalize on being at 0° 0′ 0″ S. Did he say, “Lets put a massive monument in the middle of BFE and see how many tourists will take a 2 hour bus ride out here to stare at it and take obligatory cliche pictures in front of the monument!”? I hope that guy won a medal or something. He was a genius. It worked.
And yes, of course we took the picture. I LOVE cliche tourist traps. There is something about the kitschy-ness of them that somehow draws me to them like a moth to a flame. Hell, one day I want to drive around the US and see the biggest ball of twine and the massive frying pan. We are no strangers to road trips. Absurdity is what I thrive on.
The funny thing is that after the monument was placed (all 5 tons of the globe), GPS systems found the “official” middle of the earth about 300m down the road.
And while everyone does go to that one as well, I was satisfied being at this Middle of the Earth Disneyland. A tacky magnet and post cards in hand, I was one happy camper.
I’ll just read the travel blogs about the science projects conducted over there. 😛
And while there was a distinct lack of Hobbits, this land was roamed and controlled by llamas.
I’m okay with that.
I took a similar photo on the Tropic of Capricorn in Brazil. No hobbits there either 🙂 (Can we call it Quarter Earth?)
Hahaha! Good times. I love kitschy stuff and have been wanting to see the Twine Ball for years! If you make it there first, you have to get me a mini replica of it. 😀
I’m pretty sure that’s the cutest llama ever. I love this post! I adore kitschy tourist stuff too, but never have anyone to go with me to any of it. I have done the LV sign though. The last time I moved out of here, I made my dad take a photo of me waving goodbye to The Strip with the LV sign in the background.
I loved everything about this… I so wanted to see a TOE TOUCH from one of you…lol!!! I miss y’all tons~ Oh & yes TOURIST TRAPS make GREAT PHOTOS!!!
@Ana: Hey there! Thanks for dropping by the site. 😀 Quarter Earth definitely works for me. I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes to do things like this.
@Katrina: I promise I’ll grab you something like it when I finally make it.
@D: YESSSS! Cliche pics are the best thing ever!
@Jaime: If I toe touch I will pull my groin muscle and I’ve been there done that, no thank you – and only from a cartwheel!
So which way are the toilets flushing now?
Sorry… after years of getting that from Americans, I had to ask.
(By the way I think the correct scientific answer is ‘depends what kind of toilet you have’. The north/south thing is a myth)
I’d be compelled to go to Middle Earth, too — why not?! Love the picture of the llama. I’ve see my share of kitschy tourist traps, but never heard about the massive frying pan in the U.S. — I’ll have to look that one up. 🙂
I love kitschy tourist traps as well – it’s always interested to see what it is about them that has such widespread appeal. I wonder where the middle earth locations are in the rest of the world?
And not a hobbit in sight. I think there is a side market for a hobbit themed attraction!
I for one welcome our Llama overlords.
We didn’t see any Hobbits in New Zealand either. And I was really expecting to. Don’t they come from there? 😉
They’re tourist traps for a reason!! Let me know if you ever go in search of the twine or frying pan. I’ll meet you at Sonic afterwards.
I would HAVE to go here! I’m a sucker for these things too. And thinking I’m at Middle Earth…the LotR geek inside of me smiles!
Just wait til you get to Oz if you decide to go…lots of “big” things to have your photo taken with!
I’m putting Ecuador on my bucket list–well, most of LA anyway. I love your perspective on Middle Earth and 0,0,0. And the Ilamas, if they’re as plentiful as the cows in India, are super cute.
@Philip: I had no clue, but to be honest, I don’t really care which way it flushes lol!
@Cathy: There are so many things like that in the US. I’ve almost stopped at sideshows when we are traveling but oh man, that would have put us so behind on our road trips!
@Andrea: I think that is why I go too – like, what is the deal here? Granted, I always fall for it but whatever works right? Shaun was also trying to imagine any of the other monuments as well (if there are any).
@Laurence: I would say so!
@Andrew: Damn skippy! Llamas are amazing! Seriously man, I would be pissed if I didn’t see a hobbit. 😉
@Abby: I have had the biggest hankering for Sonic lately. I just want a Dr. Pepper with crushed ice!
@Heather: Totally! You know we’re geeks all around so I’m glad you could share our nerdyness. <3 I'll chat with you soon about Oz.
@Charu: Hey lady! Thanks for stopping by the blog! It is so weird how Latin America turned into most of my bucket list. So many amazing things to do.
Tacky tourist traps can be so much fun. Jade and I got a certificate when we climbed the steepest street in the world. Funny how the real middle of the earth is 300m away as well!
@James: NICE! I’ve seen the picture of that street. I think I would commission certificates too!
Effing YES! Dude major envy!
So much awesomeness packed into one tiny page…the misplaced monument, the pictures, the tourist trap…and a llama!!
have you though, by chance, been to the “South of the Border” tourist trap on the North Carolina / South Carolina border back in the states?
@Greg: We have never been to the east coast but that looks like something we MUST hit up on our next big road trip!