Peter Jackson deservedly has made his mark in New Zealand. After the trilogy of Lord of the Rings, everyone is familiar with the fabulous sights of this beautiful country. And the country has latched on to the publicity. In newspapers, billboards and TV, the marketing for products centers around the famous phrase, "One Ring to Rule them All" - so fill in the blank with your product. One: phone, TV, air conditioner, whatever - it will "rule them all." The landscape does not disappoint this beautiful, rugged, mountainous, beach, sheep-filled country. Marty and I remarked as we traveled the countryside, "It's so Lord of the Rings!"
We only had enough time to get around the south island, flying into Christchurch; driving over the Southern Alps; winding down the west coast to see glaciers; into Milford Sound; Queenstown; the rugged southernmost coast with penguins, sea lions, elephant seals; the Scottish city of Dunedin and back up to Christchurch. Wonderful sights, interesting people, good food (we didn't have to eat there, but Subway's special sandwich is roasted lamb with mint sauce - wouldn't fly in the US. Burger King even offers Pavlova - a merengue dessert.)
The Tasman Sea
Hiking to the Fox Glacier (also hiked to the Franz Joseph Glacier)
I can't believe twice in the same year - helicopter landing on the top of a glacier!
It's surprising considering the beauty of all the water, but we didn't do any fishing in this legendary, fishing country.
A boat cruise through Milford Sound (really a fiord since it was carved by a glacier) 9+ miles till it meets the Tasman Sea. With crested penguins, fur seals, dolphins and thousands of waterfalls.
Yellow-eyed penguin on remote beach of the southernmost coast. (only about 1000 left in the world)
For the whole slide show of Australia and New Zealand, just click on the picture below to use controls and see the captions. (Double click on the slide show to see the pictures individually.)
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