Day 9 (Tue 20 April) Te Anau to Milford Sound & back

Today is a LOTR-free day, as we visited Milford Sound.

On the way to Milford Sound

We headed off in the morning on SH 8 (Milford Road) which will take us all the way to Milford Sound.

[Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)]

This is the beautiful Eglington Valley, enclosed by mountain ranges on either side. The day looks very cloudy but so far no rain.

We stopped by Mirror Lakes, which are famous for their near perfect reflections of the mountain scenery during still days.

The waters weren't completely still on the day, so the "mirror" effect is not there, although you can still make out the outlines of the mountain range.

This is Hollyford valley, enshrouded by mist.

The entrance to Homer Tunnel, which is 1219m long with a gradient of 1:10. Construction of the tunnel began in 1935 but it was not finished till 1953.

There are sheer mountain ranges on either side of the entrance to Homer Tunnel. These snow deposits are present all year round.

The rain has formed mini-fountains running down the rocks.

Inside the Homer Tunnel.

Densely populated and moss-covered beech forest at The Chasm, a popular tourist stopping point.

The Chasm is a very deep and narrow gorge cut through space between rocks.

The Cleddau River plunges into the chasm.

Milford Sound

At Milford Sound, we are greeted by an impressive view of Mitre Peak (Rahotu) which rises 1672m above the sea.

Our cruise boat, operated by Real Journeys, arrives to pick us up.

Milford Sound looks mysterious and magical under a layer of clouds.

The boat looks like this (actually, this is a shot of a sister boat, not the one we boarded).

Milford Sound is a popular tourist destinations. This boat allows visitors to stay overnight in the Sound.

This is a picture of Bowen Falls, 160m, named after Lady Bowen who visited Milford Sound in 1871.

Some New Zealand fur seals lying on rocks. They tend to feed on squid, octopus and barracuda at night.

This mighty Stirling Falls, 155m, named after Captain Stirling of HMS Clio.

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Day 10 (Wed 21 April) - Te Anau to Queenstown

Today is the last day of the guided tour as we visit several locations around Queenstown on SH 94, then 6. We travelled from Te Anau in the morning, stopping by at various locations including Deer Park Heights (Rohan), Arrowtown (Ford of Bruinen), Twelve Mile Delta (Ithilien), and Amon Hen. In the evening, we had a farewell dinner for the Fellowship at the Skyline buffet restaurant perched on top of Bob's Peak. On the way from Te Anau to Queenstown We stopped by again for a short break in the town of Garston , supposedly the most inland town in the South Island. [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] This is the view from another picturesque stop, at Devils Staircase on SH 6. Anwen at Devils Staircase. This sheep station nestled amidst mountains is only accessible via a boat. Deer Park Heights Queenstown as seen from Deer Heights Station. Queenstown airport as seen fr

Day 8 (Mon 19 April) Cromwell to Te Anau

We head off towards Mavora Lakes, where several scenes were filmed, including the breaking of the Fellowship. In the afternoon, we arrived at the lakeside town of Te Anau . On the way to Mavora Lakes (Fangorn Forest) Sunrise in Cromwell. "Blood has been spilled in the night." [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] Garden next to a fruit shop on the way to Mavora Lakes. Row of poplar trees with yellow leaves. This is where Gandalf called for Shadowfax on the edge of Fangorn Forest. If you look at his feet carefully you will notice he is wearing modern sports shoes. "He sprang away, calling Shadowfax as he ran." "The great horse tossed his head. His flowing tail flicked in the moonlight. Then he leapt forward, spurning the earth, and was gone like the north wind from the mountains." (LOTR, Book III, Chapter XI, page 619) This is the location

Day 6 (Sat 17 April) Christchurch to Twizel

We left Christchurch and headed wes on SH 73, then south on SH 72. The main location visited today is the Courts of Edoras (actually, Mt. Sunday, located at Mt. Potts Station). After that, we journeyed on to Twizel via the beautiful Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. On the way to Edoras We left Christchurch on SH 73 (Yaldhurst Road). After Darfield, where we stopped to buy lunch, we turned onto SH 72 ( Inland Scenic Highway ). This is Rakaia River, flowing through Rakaia Gorge . [Tip: clicking on the image allows you to view it in Live Spaces and download it in high resolution (1280x800)] First of two bridges going across the Gorge. View of the river from the bridge. The view from the other side of the bridge. View of the gorge. View from the second bridge. View from the other side of the bridge. Note the car parked at a very unique location. View from Lake Clearwater. "Mallorn" trees (in reality black poplars) glistening in the sun at

Lord of the Rings New Zealand Tour

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