New Zealand

Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Pools


Sitting on the walkway, Silica Crossing


Silica Crossing at the Champagne Pool, Wai-o-Tapu


Champagne Pool


Wai-o-Tapu thermal pools in Rotorua, New Zealand


One of many caves. BW.

Mount Eden, Auckland


View from the top of Mount Eden down into Auckland city skyline.


A couple taking a stroll down from Mount Eden. BW.


Another shot from Mount Eden.

People


I arrived in Auckland early on a Saturday morning and went straight to the Otara outdoor market. My cousins and I stumbled upon this artist painting with what smelled like kerosene. His 5''7'' paintings went for 10NZD each and because he did not already have samples of paintings that included both a hut and waterfall in the picture, he went ahead and drew one for me. I could have sat there and watched him paint all day, but alas, I only had a little over a week and a half in New Zealand.


This is my cousin, Cherilyn, who is from New Zealand and will probably kill me for posting this picture of her. But, I love this photo of her! She is one of my favorite people and this picture describes her best. This picture was taken inside a church and I was supposed to use the minimal light to get a black and white "serious" photo of her, which of course never happened because we both can never be serious. Every time I look at this, I can't help but laugh out loud which is all we do when we get together.

Hobbitland


A shot from a roadtrip to Hobbitland and Wai-o-Tapu.


This is my friend Sala, who pretty much made this trip possible by calling me up one day and asking if I wanted to go traveling. The purchasing of tickets and travel insurance, packing of warm clothes, and desperate phone calls to family members in New Zealand and Australia for accommodations were all done within a couple weeks. Talk about spontaneous! Thanks girl...great trip:)


These are the Three Hobbits of Hobbitland which consisted of one person who has seen all of the Lord of the Rings movies, including the extended versions, one person who has seen some of the movies, and then one who has not seen a single movie from the trilogy but wanted to become a hobbit nonetheless. Many, many photos were dedicated to dancing in front of the Party Tree, hugging said Party Tree, becoming a hobbit, and disappearing magical tricks. Could there be anything better than spending an afternoon giggling and annoying everyone else in the tour group? Nope.


Of course, no album from New Zealand is complete without some sheep. Picture was taken at sunset at the Alexander estate, which is 1250 acres of beautiful and GREEN rolling, hilly land that is home to thousands and thousands of sheep. The Alexander's land is also home to the set of the Lord of the Rings and the current tourist attraction, Hobbitland.