I don't have any new photos to share, I'm not caught up on my New Zealand Posts, nor have I written a a complete paragraph about these last three weeks in Arizona (which includes my son's wedding, for Pete's Sakes!), but tonight, I feel like writing. I definitely detect something in me letting down as I think about the fact that this trip is over.
Going Home
January 13, 2015 • 2015, kelsnzadventure2014, thinking out loud, travel
Twizel, The Southern Cross and Onto Queenstown: December 15-19, 2014
January 1, 2015 • 2014, december, kelsnzadventure2014, new zealand, redcarpettours, south island
After we left Edoras, or Mt. Sunday, we made our way to the tranquil town of Twizel, stopping by turns at Lake Takapo and Lake Pukaki for spectacular views of the Southern Alps and Mt. Cook. We enjoyed gorgeous weather and had a perfect view of the mountains, framed by swaths of colorful lupines. It was so beautiful it seemed almost unreal, like we'd stepped inside postcards.
We stayed at the McKenzie Country Inn at Twizel and, after dinner and a glorious sunset, I pulled all my camera gear across the street from the hotel and tried to get to as dark a place as I could without a car. New Zealand, and this area specifically, has some of the darkest skies on the planet, but we were in town, so I knew conditions wouldn't be perfect. Plus, I didn't actually know what I was doing. I was winging it, which is the way I learn most things.
Julia and I took a break from each other for the evening, and it was just as well--I was happy to be by myself for a little while. We're getting along great, but we are both introverts, and sometimes just run out of energy to relate to each other. I think she went over to the other side of the hotel to look at the starts. I enjoyed playing around with star photography, and it was a ridiculously big deal for me to see the Southern Cross and Upside-down Orion. I was able to identify a few other constellations, and just reveled in being under the skies down under.
The next day we went to the location for the Pelennor Fields, and it was so expansive under the blue skies. These places really do remind me of the descriptions in the book. One of the best parts of this day was re-enacting the mustering of the Rohirrim. Danny led us and we charged the enemy with bravado and heart! So fun!
We also stopped to note that we are at the 45th Parallel. That's fairly far south, which is pretty cool. We also stopped at another location from LOTR. We had some time to explore, which I loved, and it was cool to match up the views with the footage from the films.
We stopped at a little resort town called Wanaka, located on the eponymous lake. I took a walk on my own, then found a camera store and bought a new lens cap. I've loved my little Fuji camera as much as my big giant camera. I'm glad I brought it all along. This town enchanted me and is definitely on my list of places where I want to return.
That evening, we made it to our hotel at Queenstown. This will be our homebase for the next few days, and will be the scene for the breaking of the fellowship, but my word, what a trip it has been!
We stayed at the McKenzie Country Inn at Twizel and, after dinner and a glorious sunset, I pulled all my camera gear across the street from the hotel and tried to get to as dark a place as I could without a car. New Zealand, and this area specifically, has some of the darkest skies on the planet, but we were in town, so I knew conditions wouldn't be perfect. Plus, I didn't actually know what I was doing. I was winging it, which is the way I learn most things.
Julia and I took a break from each other for the evening, and it was just as well--I was happy to be by myself for a little while. We're getting along great, but we are both introverts, and sometimes just run out of energy to relate to each other. I think she went over to the other side of the hotel to look at the starts. I enjoyed playing around with star photography, and it was a ridiculously big deal for me to see the Southern Cross and Upside-down Orion. I was able to identify a few other constellations, and just reveled in being under the skies down under.
The next day we went to the location for the Pelennor Fields, and it was so expansive under the blue skies. These places really do remind me of the descriptions in the book. One of the best parts of this day was re-enacting the mustering of the Rohirrim. Danny led us and we charged the enemy with bravado and heart! So fun!
We also stopped to note that we are at the 45th Parallel. That's fairly far south, which is pretty cool. We also stopped at another location from LOTR. We had some time to explore, which I loved, and it was cool to match up the views with the footage from the films.
 |
| This is where Arwen was riding her horse with poor injured Frodo. |
We stopped at a little resort town called Wanaka, located on the eponymous lake. I took a walk on my own, then found a camera store and bought a new lens cap. I've loved my little Fuji camera as much as my big giant camera. I'm glad I brought it all along. This town enchanted me and is definitely on my list of places where I want to return.
 |
| Our bus needed some repairs, so of course we took time for an epic battle. |
On To the South Island: Wellington to Mt. Sunday-December 13-14, 2014
December 31, 2014 • 2014, Christchurch, kelsnzadventure2014, Mt. Sunday, south island, travel
Several times over the first week of the New Zealand trip, people mentioned how beautiful the South Island was compared to the North Island. "Just wait," they would say, "till you get to the South Island." I was skeptical, because I'd found the North Island wholly enchanting. I suppose some of that was because everything was so gloriously new, and I love newness. I suppose it could be because it was winter at home and not winter here. I got a sunburn in my first few hours off the plane! I visited Hobbiton and saw live volcanoes and some of the newest land and rocks on the planet. What could be better?
Wellington! December 9-13, 2014
December 23, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014, North Island, travel, wellington
And now we come to it. Four days of total immersion into the LOTR and Hobbit films. After a long Tuesday of travel that included stopping at Gollum's pool, we arrived in Wellington and checked into the Amora Hotel, near the waterfront. I'm putting all of this part of the trip in one post, so go get a cup of cocoa and put your feet up while you soak it all in. .
From Hobbiton to Mt. Doom
December 21, 2014 • 2014, kelsnzadventure2014, movie locations, North Island
In New Zealand time, it's still December 8. In one day, we followed Frodo from his home in Bag End all the way to the entrance to Mordor and Mt. Doom.
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