Readers often speak of Tolkien’s gift for creating a “fully-realized world” with Middle Earth: you feel like every little path could lead to somewhere fantastic. The same could be said for New Zealand, the South Island especially.

The last leg of my trip has included glacier walks and boating through fjords. The weather has been great, with one day starting with a serious frost. And even though it rained during my Milford Sound trip, it was okay: we got to see waterfalls turned back around by strong winds. So many good moments that photos can’t do justice. Here’s a multiple waterfall shot.


Now it’s back to the North Island before heading East for good.