we did a "lord of the rings" tour today because it was cheap and it gave us the opportunity to visit some other lotr sites in the area. the first place we went to was twelve mile delta, which is a picnic and camp ground. it was the scene where gollum captures some rabbits and sam cooks them. shortly thereafter, they first get a view of the oliphants.

then we drove on and stopped to take a look at a view of a lake and mountains in the distance. one of those mountains was mt. earnslaw, which is the snowy mountain pass the fellowship tries to cross but has to give up and enter the mines of moria. we could also see part of the greenstone valley which is where in "return of the king", aragorn looks down and realizes that their army is too small. i can't recall this scene right now but i'm sure it'll come to me later.

then we headed through glenorchy to paradise. the scene where boromir was killed was filmed on private land so we were unable to go there, but we stopped to stand in a wooded area for a moment and were able to get a feel for the environment.

first view of oliphants

paradise, film site of lothlorien

we drove again and stopped off the side of a road to get a faraway look of the landscape that was filmed and digitally altered to become isengard. it is an area off of routeburn road but i don't think sure we were on routeburn road when we pulled over.

much digital effects used to create landscape of isengard

then we were off to stop in the routeburn track area. we did the double barrel walk, just a short loop walk of 20-40 minutes, depending on how your legs work. a reminder of the hump ridge track, ahhhhhh! we only did the walk because the tour guide thought it was nice. it was alright but again it just reminded me so much of the mountains in california that i wondered why the fuck did i go all the way to new zealand. after that, we made a tea stop at the glenorchy hotel bar/restaurant.

when we got back to queenstown, we walked around and viewed the gift shops and such. we have to get so many presents because we're getting one for practically everyone we know back home. it makes it very tough because it means our funds will have to be spread very thin. fortunately everyone will get a little something, unfortunately it will only be a little something.

lake wakatipu

sculptures along waterfront: rees, kiwi, moa

we decided to have dinner at the vudu cafe and it was goodoo. i had gado gado and tofu. it felt really good to eat vegetables and rice from a bowl. it was so so..good...makes up for missing breakfast and the crap lunch we had. for lunch i had the worse garden burger i have ever had! i won't name the place where i had the garden burger because honestly it was so bad that i didn't want to remember.