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Christchurch
Cathedral at Cathedral Square |
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Journey
to the Centre of Middle Earth By
Daniel Chan
Hobbits
scurrying around, wizards casting spells, warriors wielding
their swords. Welcome to the Middle Earth of The Lord of the
Rings trilogy, right in the heart of New Zealand!
I had the golden opportunity to explore the South Island of
New Zealand last year and while I did not spot any wizards along
the way,
New Zealand certainly left me spellbound, especially its beautiful
landscapes. The lush greenery, tranquil rivers and lakes, and
snow-capped mountains captivated me as I travelled from town
to town. Some people claim that a new view lies at every corner
and I would certainly agree!
New Zealand is home to many species of interesting wildlife.
There are numerous seal and albatross colonies and the pristine
forests are teeming with birds and other small animals. There
are also countless farms rearing sheep, cattle and deer. It
is often said that sheep actually outnumber the New Zealanders
(fondly known as Kiwis) by about eight-to-one!
While kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, I came across the
Split Apple Rock. As the name suggests, it is a huge rock that
looks just like an apple which has been split down the middle,
shaped by the natural elements over thousands of years! Moving
on to the Franz Josef Glacier, I had my first attempt in hiking
a glacier. Armed with spiked boots and ice axes and led by a
guide, my team trekked across the treacherous terrain to discover
icy pools, frosty tunnels, and trickling streams.
More adventures awaited us on the west coast. I had a go at
white-water rafting, jet boating, trekking, and last but not
least, bungee jumping! I leapt a good 134 metres down a canyon
before recoiling up and down a few times. Exhilarating! I also
went on a cruise at Milford Sound. This rustic little place
is like a fairy-tale land, with overhanging mountains partially
submerged in water, complete with cascading waterfalls and little
water creatures. I was mesmerized by the awesome scenery as
the ferry made its way around the fiord.
My last stop was Christchurch where I would catch my flight
out of the country. One simply cannot fail to notice the English
flavour of its architecture, such as the Cathedral and Arts
Centre. Being the largest city on the South Island, it provided
an ideal place for my last minute shopping. Last of all, I also
had the privilege to catch The Lord of the Rings 3 there before
reluctantly bidding farewell to this beautiful land...
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