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New Zealand: Real land or fantasy land?

Posted by guest September 22, 2008 10:41 AM

airplane%20window%20300.jpg
I flew a long, drawn out day that became two. Boston to San Francisco to Auckland. The plane hit the International Date Line and we lost a day. In Sydney for the weekend to see old friends, and recover from my jet lag, I knew I’d be heading back to New Zealand on Sunday. I’d come for adventure, the scenery, and to see what is the reality of New Zealand amid the fantasy promoted by the Lord of the Rings, “Home of Middle-earth.” Since the trilogy was filmed here, “Rings” has dominated the public image of this country.
On my flight, my seatmates were a couple from Orange County, who had rented a condo time share in the North Island. They liked the Peter Jackson films, but they had not come to New Zealand specifically to see the landscape of Mordor or the Shire. Still, they described the mountains and forests and rivers as “unreal.”
On my layover in Auckland, I perused the rows of alcohol at duty free, thumbed through “The Lord of the Rings” movie location guidebooks, and watched the sunrise out the airport windows. Rain clouds gave way to morning tinged with pink, orange, and robin’s egg blue.
A real land or a fantasy land? Join me for my blog over the next two weeks as I find out.

Posted by Ethan Gilsdorf, Globe Correspondent

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3 comments so far...

  1. despite the numerous lord of the rings location guidebooks showing all the filming spots, very few if any resemble much from the movie. The sets are gone and you really have to know the movies to really see anything you would recognize from the movies. Don't waste your time looking for mordor unless you want to say you stood where stuff was filmed. Also, avoid any guided tours saying they will take you to filming spots- rip offs and lame. You would be better watching Whale Rider too get a better sense of Nz than LOTR.

    Spend your time enjoying the natural scenery in New Zealand. Do the whale watch in Kaikora. Do the helicopter glacier hike at Fox Glacier. Meet some native maori. Get a custom made maori carving done rather than buying one from a shop. Take in any rugby match you can find. Take the train from Christchurch over arthurs pass. Avoid Palmerston north. Take the trip from queenstown to Milford sound. Take lots of photos!!!

    Posted by chris September 22, 08 11:36 PM

  1. Andy Fogal from Jim Thorpe PA (grandad is from Harvard Mass) is currently attending Massey University in Palmerston North. (south end of the north island).
    He has a some great photos up from various trips throughout the islands in New Zealand on facebook. Check it out, I'm sure he can help you find your way to some of the most interesting places in New Zealand.

    Posted by barb fogal September 23, 08 08:14 AM

  1. When you entered New Zealand, did you put back your watch about 20 - 30 years?

    Posted by Greg O'Connor September 24, 08 03:15 AM
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  • Kari Bodnarchuk writes about outdoor adventures, offbeat places, and New England.
  • Patricia Borns, a frequent contributor to Globe Travel, writes and photographs travel, maritime, and historical narratives as well as blogs and books.
  • Ethan Gilsdorf writes about off-beat places and experiences.
  • Patricia Harris, a regular contributor to Globe Travel, is author or co-author of more than 20 books on travel, food, and popular culture.
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