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New Zealand

Posted on July 25th, 2008 by Aaron.
Categories: Photos, Traveling.

And then there was New Zealand…

For those of you not up on your meteorology, it’s winter in New Zealand. I’ve been living pretty much in perpetual summer for two years in the Philippines, so I wanted to get my cold on. Well, be careful what you wish for… I had to learn to be cold again, which after a couple “oh my GOD its FREEZING in here” freakouts, some new jackets, and constantly wearing three pairs of socks, two pairs of pants, and four shirts wasn’t really all that bad.

(Incidentally, its not really that cold for people who are used to it… It was in the 40s during the day and rarely got below freezing at night. It’s just that I’m used to sweating all the time.)

We stayed on the South Island for the most part (and wouldn’t you know it, every South Islander we met said we hadn’t missed anything on the North Island anyway). It got more and more beautiful the further south we went. We did a lot of stuff– hiked the Franz-Joseph glacier, took the Transalpine Express train through the Souther Alps, rode a helicopter through the mountains to Milford Sound, and visited Mt Sunday, where Edoras the capital of Rohan in Lord of the Rings was filmed.

All in all, it was very, very cool. And cold.
 
 New Zealand
 

6 comments.

Nannette

Comment on July 25th, 2008.

What a cool experience - Hong Kong, Vietnam, New Zealand! What’s next? Grand Isle? Hope it’s some where else really cool over there - not that we don’t want you back. Enjoy all the traveling. It will be something to treasure for ever.

Love,
Nanny

Mike Simmons

Comment on July 26th, 2008.

Aaron,

Great pictures of New Zealand and “Lord of The Rings”-Land!

Going from 2 years of perpetual summer to winter in just a day must have been a shock!

But a least you didn’t have to sweat!

But, soon you will be back in the USA, and on to Grand Isle and back to sweating once again! EEEEEEEHAAAAAA!!!!!!

Can’t wait to see you!

Love,

Daddy

Dave Farritor

Comment on July 26th, 2008.

Aaron,

This looks like a great trip. And I love touristy photos of tourists taking photos!

However, I must say, it’s inappropriate for you to invoke, Anduril at Edoras, , because Anduril was not bestowed on Aragorn, until after he left Edoras!

Aaron

Comment on July 27th, 2008.

Dave- in the LotR movies, its true that Anduril isn’t reforged until the 2nd movie and its brought to Aragorn at Helm’s Deep by Elrond. But in the *book* Anduril was reforged in Rivendell before the Fellowship sets out. (Eldrond’s sons Elladan and Elrohir bring Arwen’s banner to Aragorn at Helm’s Deep in the book.)

:P

Susan

Comment on August 10th, 2008.

Look at A-ron the Adventurer. You don’t run into crazy monsters outside your lvl this far away from home? Currently experiencing the joyful Pittsburgh summers, where 90 degrees is crazy hot and 70 is a little warm. I will take your three socks four shirts & two pants advice to heart in my first winter here. Your travels are fascinating to read!

Micah

Comment on September 13th, 2008.

There were Lord of the Rings books?! I guess some people will do anything to make a buck off the movies’ success, right? :)
Seriously though, New Zealand looks like a hell of a place. Great Ice crevasse/canyon/pass photo btw.