New Years day found us driving to Queenstown amidst the most beautiful weather we have had to date. Queenstown is a resort area near a lake and ski resorts, a bustling little town with fantastic views and a wholesome air to it. We stayed two nights at a lovely hotel, took a gondola ride above the city and rejuvenated. Tom and Georg went on a Shotover Boat adventure ride-they put you in a low-draft boat, go 85km an hour up and down the between very narrow river banks, speeding appallingly close to the rocks, and doing 360 spins just for fun. Quite the adrenaline rush.
FOR LORD OF THE RINGS FANS:
Wednesday gave us the chance to do what we came to NZ for: to go on a Lord of the Rings tour. We rode in a 4-wheel drive vehicle to see the Seat of Seeing where Boromir tried to take the Ring from Frodo. This property is actually owned by Peter Jackson. We also saw the valley of Orthanc where Saruman resided and did his evil. We had tea where the ambush by the Urakai was carried out, and where Boromir was slain. This location was also where they filmed much of Lothlorien )(see woods photo. We also were able to see the place where Sam first saw the Oliphant. We also were exposed to much of the “behind the scenes” filming stories, and we left feeling enormity of the modern-day film making business. To see the spot where Gandalf rode Shadowfax through trees to Minas Tirith and that it took hundred of people, many hours, dozens of trailers, equipment and probably a couple hundred-thousand dollars worth of supplies to film a 2-5 seconds worth of the movie brought home just how complicated and involved the movie industry is. NOW I understand why the credits at the end of a movie last so long.
On Thursday, we drove to Milford Sound for a cruise of the fjord. As we approached the area the weather turned ugly. The amount of rain was staggering but the resulting effects on the landscape were breathtaking. Prior to this day we would pull off the side of the road to photograph a waterfall and today began as no exception, but as the minutes and kilometers passed, we soon became overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of waterfalls and the vast quantity of water flowing through them. Words cannot do justice to the sight. I am certain that our amateur photography skills couldn’t capture the wonder of the beautiful transfer of water from the frozen rivers above the cliffs to the river below.
When we arrived at the terminal to board the tour boat the rain was coming down in torrents. Tom and Thelma got soaking wet within the 30 seconds it took to transfer from the car to the terminal building UNDER a covered walkway. Poor Georganna was in charge of parking the car about ¼ mile away and even with the use of a hooded raincoat was miserable by the time she joined us. Fortunately by the time we boarded the weather cleared to give us a spectacular day. The nearly sheer cliffs were pouring water from the top thousands of feet above. We sailed along the fjord, then out into the Tasman Sea, then back to the head of the fjord. We even saw some NZ fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The trip back to the interior was just as beautiful, but sunny this time and we made many photo stops. Tom is in a field of lupine in the photo. That night we stayed in a tiny little resort town called Te Anau. Not much time spent there, but they have a great Chinese restaurant!
Friday was back through Queenstown and north to Lake Tekapo. We stopped in Queenstown to meet our wonderful Travel Agent, Karen Roxburgh. Oh, yes, and to stop at one more fabric shop Georg spotted with her eagle eye.
FOR LORD OF THE RINGS FANS:
Wednesday gave us the chance to do what we came to NZ for: to go on a Lord of the Rings tour. We rode in a 4-wheel drive vehicle to see the Seat of Seeing where Boromir tried to take the Ring from Frodo. This property is actually owned by Peter Jackson. We also saw the valley of Orthanc where Saruman resided and did his evil. We had tea where the ambush by the Urakai was carried out, and where Boromir was slain. This location was also where they filmed much of Lothlorien )(see woods photo. We also were able to see the place where Sam first saw the Oliphant. We also were exposed to much of the “behind the scenes” filming stories, and we left feeling enormity of the modern-day film making business. To see the spot where Gandalf rode Shadowfax through trees to Minas Tirith and that it took hundred of people, many hours, dozens of trailers, equipment and probably a couple hundred-thousand dollars worth of supplies to film a 2-5 seconds worth of the movie brought home just how complicated and involved the movie industry is. NOW I understand why the credits at the end of a movie last so long.
On Thursday, we drove to Milford Sound for a cruise of the fjord. As we approached the area the weather turned ugly. The amount of rain was staggering but the resulting effects on the landscape were breathtaking. Prior to this day we would pull off the side of the road to photograph a waterfall and today began as no exception, but as the minutes and kilometers passed, we soon became overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of waterfalls and the vast quantity of water flowing through them. Words cannot do justice to the sight. I am certain that our amateur photography skills couldn’t capture the wonder of the beautiful transfer of water from the frozen rivers above the cliffs to the river below.
When we arrived at the terminal to board the tour boat the rain was coming down in torrents. Tom and Thelma got soaking wet within the 30 seconds it took to transfer from the car to the terminal building UNDER a covered walkway. Poor Georganna was in charge of parking the car about ¼ mile away and even with the use of a hooded raincoat was miserable by the time she joined us. Fortunately by the time we boarded the weather cleared to give us a spectacular day. The nearly sheer cliffs were pouring water from the top thousands of feet above. We sailed along the fjord, then out into the Tasman Sea, then back to the head of the fjord. We even saw some NZ fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The trip back to the interior was just as beautiful, but sunny this time and we made many photo stops. Tom is in a field of lupine in the photo. That night we stayed in a tiny little resort town called Te Anau. Not much time spent there, but they have a great Chinese restaurant!
Friday was back through Queenstown and north to Lake Tekapo. We stopped in Queenstown to meet our wonderful Travel Agent, Karen Roxburgh. Oh, yes, and to stop at one more fabric shop Georg spotted with her eagle eye.
Tomorrow is on to Christchurch for four nights.
TGT
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