Ferry and Kayak to Nelson

We took a ferry from the North Island to the South Island, and the weather changed in time for river kayaking.

Wellington Botanic Garden

We used our free afternoon to ride the Wellington Cable Car up the hill to the Botanic Garden and the Bolton Street Cemetery.

Meeting the calligrapher, cartographer, and artist Daniel Reeve was a highlight of our tour.

Wētā Workshop was another of the promised tour visits that I had been looking forward to since I booked this trip!

Mt. Victoria is a beautiful park close to film studios in Wellington and thus a covenient setting for several scenes from Lord of the Rings.

What a great way to celebrate my 55th birthday.

Two locations impressed us on their sheer beauty alone. Huka Falls and Lake Taupo are worthy destinations.

The clouds and rain turned out to be perfect weather for this famous movie film location.

In Rotorua we got to experience some real New Zealand.

I knew beforehand that I would love it, but I had no idea how truly outstanding this film set is.