Home » New Zealand » The Lure of the Mountains and Sea November 20, 2004

Two landscapes must be nearby if I am to be happiest -- the mountains and the sea. I don't need to immerse myself in either. I simply need to know they are near, and I need to see one or both in the distance.

The Lure of the Mountains and Sea November 20, 2004

Ttrealtravels
2005-12-26 15:42:45

Displayed times (last time: )

DVD player, he showed us the scene before Rohan's charge, where Theoden inspires his riders to battle. In the theater, this scene made my eyes well up with tears of hope and pride every time I saw it. And now I was standing right where it happened.

Behind us and to the left, Mt. Cook and the Ben Ohau Range soared into blue skies. Off to the right, smaller, dark hills stood in for Mordor's black mountains. Before us spread this golden field, and I could just imagine the White Tower of Minas Tirith, besieged by orcs, but ramparts still flying. I could picture that heart-filling dawn, the stamp of anxious horses, the clatter of armor. I could imagine Theoden's speech ringing in my ears, and I could see, in my mind's eye, Eowyn hugging Merry on her horse. "Courage for our friends." "Forth Eorlingas!"

Not only was this a stirring film scene, the real landscape was stunning. Mountains surrounded us on all sides. Blue skies above, waving gold-brown-green grasses all around. Snowy peaks and sun-baked hills. It was a beautiful place, regardless of what had been filmed there.

Even if we just happened upon this random tour that would have had nothing to do with Lord of the Rings, the sites he offered us were stunning. Some of the best scenery of the trip, easily. For he didn't stop at the movie site. He decided that because he didn't have anyone else that day, nor any tour scheduled after ours, he'd take us all around the surrounding area.

Our guide didn't care that this tour was nearly double the time it was supposed to last -- he was more interested in showing us around than anything, and we agreed to any place he wanted to take us. O.K., maybe it helped that we complimented him profusely along the way for such an amazing tour or that Trystan was such a big fan of the films, but whatever! It was still incredible and leapt to the top three things we've done on this trip.

Tony was a fabulous guide and really added to the experience. He gave us a lesson on acting like an orc. He showed us more movie clips and pointed out the exact spot things were filmed. He told us about the history of Twizel and this country area. He even indulged us silly Ringers as he was quite used to people recreating scenes and taking melodramatic pictures.

After seeing the movie locations, Tony drove us around the nearby canal and river system. Then he took us up an unpaved, one-lane road around a brilliant blue-green lake. Halfway around, he stopped at a tiny hut. This was where, he explained, locals go to "get away." Funny how even folks in a small, isolated town need an escape from everyday reality! The little hut, called Greta Lodge, had a stunning view of the mountains and lake, and it was totally worth the drive. Afterward, Tony took us to the Twizel lookout for another excellent view of the valley and mountains.

Having gotten so intimate with both the mountains and the sea of New Zealand, I am head over heels in adoration of this country. Beauty upon beauty, layers of culture and history, scenes from fantasy and of rich realities. It's an amazing land, and I hope to return.