NZ's Unique Sunlight, Dramatic Views, Sights!!

[TLCOhio]

From the News in Australia this morning, they have this headline: "New adventures in New Zealand" with these highlights: "There is a peculiar clarity to the sunlight. On a bright day, everything is thrown into high contrast. Highlights blaze; shadows are cast very, very dark."

 

In the writer's story, here are some of the details that are shared: "The effect makes the grass that covers the hills of North Island appear greener than grass anywhere else in the world. When director Peter Jackson decided to shoot The Lord of the Rings films in New Zealand, he knew that his native land could provide landscapes so spectacular that in many cases they would need little camera trickery to become the fantastical Middle-earth locations described by J.R.R. Tolkien. They already looked just right. For the first films, set builders spent nine months recreating the village on farmland near the small town of Matamata, and returned to spend 2 1/2 years expanding it for Jackson's new trilogy, based on The Hobbit. The hobbit-holes have carved woodwork bearing the emblems of different hobbit families, real vegetable patches, dinky pewter jugs, crocheted curtains and hanging baskets brimming with primroses. Now, the set - maintained by local farmers - is open to the public. Hobbiton feels utterly real. Only the sharpest-eyed visitor will notice that the oak tree spreading over Bag End, the home of Bilbo Baggins and later his nephew Frodo, is made of fibreglass. For those wishing to follow in their footsteps, there are many opportunities to embark on an unexpected journey through Middle-earth."

 

This very lengthy story has lots of details and many web connections to set up tours, see more in these areas and on this subject. Interesting!!

 

Full story at:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world/new-adventures-in-new-zealand/story-e6frfqai-1226547658416

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 113,893 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[bazzaw]

:) Perhaps there is a bit of hyperbole in that article ! :) -- but I have to admit that during a departure from Auckland once , we experienced a particularly brilliant sunset. My very poor photo here did not do it justice at all. We were just completing an "Around the World " cruise , and had taken MANY sunset and sunrise photos all around the World. This one was the most spectacular of all.

 

Barry

[TLCOhio]

:) Perhaps there is a bit of hyperbole in that article ! :) -- but I have to admit that during a departure from Auckland once , we experienced a particularly brilliant sunset. My very poor photo here did not do it justice at all. We were just completing an "Around the World " cruise , and had taken MANY sunset and sunrise photos all around the World. This one was the most spectacular of all. Barry

 

Yes, WOW!, Barry, that is a great sunset picture, plus other nice visuals. Appreciate your sharing!!

 

We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011. We will be finishing in Auckland. Plus, doing some pre-cruise options for Cairns/Port Douglas, the Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, then Kangaroo Island near Adelaide before departing from Sidney’s scenic harbor. Any special secrets and tips in these areas?? And, probably post-cruise in Queenstown and stopping in Hawaii on the way home to break up that long, long flight back.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 113,893 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474