Millonare for a Day...

Yesterday was probably one of the most memorable days of my life to date. You will not believe what I got to do...

My boss, Al Spary, owner of Skybar and 6 other bars in the region, not to mention liquor distributors, liquor stores, and countless real estates, called all the bar managers for an all day meeting. He didn't describe the events of the meeting, but just instructed us to get a taxi at 8:30am.

We arrived to his estate to find three helicopters with their rotors going and were just told to get inside. I'd never been in a helicopter before and always wanted to, so you could imagine how excited I was!

(Kieran, our manager, and Adam, Angelo, and Dan, other Bar Managers)

So here, at 9am, and after being handed an ice cold Heineken inside a helicopter, we took off and began what was to be one of the best adventures I've had to date. Immediately, I was amazed at how versatile these machines were and how quickly they could gain altitude. In no time, we rotated 180 degrees and were 2000 ft up, moving West at 105 Knots.

We headed toward Glenorchy and the Routeburn Track and within 30 seconds traveled the track that took me 3 days only a few months ago. During our initial flight, we flew close to the mountains getting views I only have had in my dreams and that you saw in Lord of the Rings: mountain peaks and ridges running underneath you and opening up into large valleys. I was in the front row seat and experiencing these first hand.

(To Glenorchy via Chopper)

(Routeburn Track from the air)

(Glenorchy, top left, and On the way to Milford)

Next, on the radio I heard, "Al, you wanna go through Milford?." I thought holy crap, we are going through Milford via helicopter, a trip people pay 700 dollars for! We descended through clouds and valleys and passed snow capped mountain peaks in the morning sunlight on our way to Milford, a convoy of three choppers, on a mission.

My third visit to Milford was of course spectacular in the air. Snow topped peaks and calm deep waters below made up the visual stimuli. We stopped for fuel there and then went straight for Bowen falls. Our pilots took us vertically up the falls right next to the water, and turned around and went straight back down toward the ocean floor! Shit! My stomach was turning and I felt like I was dreaming!!

We continued out toward the Tasman sea winding close to the glacial carved rock faces and fern trees. We reached the coast and flew about 100ft up really fast over waves breaking on the coastal rocks. We even found a huge seal colony that we whisked by. Oh my god, what an experience! And it gets better...

There were two huge rocks out at sea and our pilot put the chopper sideways through the middle of them! We followed the coast for another 10minutes and landed on a remote beach only accessible via helicopter or boat.

(The West Coast with Dan and Adam)

We had another beer there and enjoyed the scenery before we hopped back in our cool transport devices and were off. Now up to Mt. Aspiring National park into the glacial capped alpine peaks. We flew just barely above rocky snow covered peaks before Al told the pilots to land.

(Bar Managers: Dan, Angelo, Adam, Rob. Right: All of us enjoying Bollinger Bubbly)

(Al and I)

We landed in the middle of nowhere on a glacier and then broke out a case of Bollinger Champagne! Man, Al has style! He really knows how to enjoy life-a completely different lifestyle being a Millionare. I just couldn't believe it! Here we were in the middle of the Alps in New Zealand, hopping out of helicopters and downing cases of $150 bottles of bubbles. I just felt unreal, like all of the South Island was our playground, like this magic land that we were treading up through the air and exploring like you'd do in a dream. Going anywhere you wanted to go, and doing anything you wanted to do. I got to experience that and I still cannot believe it. How lucky I am. Wow. To think if I'd never left my cubicle in the states and came down here...I just can't fathom what has happened here.

We took off from there, flew up to a high valley glacier and flew right next to it, admiring its giant crevasses and beauty. Again, our pilot, who I'm told is one of the best in the world, flew really close to the glacier, pitching downward toward the snow capped crevassess...man. Maybe I'm still dreaming.

We winded our way through canyons heading toward the East coast, stopping for fuel while refilling our glasses of champagne. We made it to a small old mining town called Dansey's Pass, parked our helicopters and went into the pub. We dried our feet by a hot fire and sat down to have some lunch. I can hardly eat from excitement.

After lunch we took off again and went to St. Bathens, another small mining town in the middle of nowhere. It was just crazy, parking our helicopters and zooming up to these pubs. People couldn't believe us, they were taking pictures of us like we were celebrities. It was then I really felt like a rock star. I got to feel what it was like to actually be famous, a Millionare. We just parked our choppers wherever there was space in open lots. It was so laid back. We did more shots at the Vulcan lodge there and just got back in our flying machines to head to the next pub. We were on a pub crawl all over the South Island, via helicopter. Man, what a trip!

(Maniatoto Valley from the air near sunset, NZ's Big Sky Land)

Flew up to the final pub, the Cadrona hotel and ski lodge, about 4pm to find seven people staring at us and taking pictures. You don't know how cool you feel when you get out of a chopper! Millonare for a day, mate. Wow.

This day will last in my memory forever and probably won't be easily topped. I work my ass off for Al as all the bar managers do. He expects a lot, but then he does things like this. Gives you experiences that money can't buy, well, my money anyway. I am so lucky. It was the first time he'd done this for everyone, I was in the right place at the right time. We'd clocked over 4 hours of flight time, and you could tell even the pilots were having fun.

What a way to experience New Zealand.

Forward Thinking

I watched a movie that has changed the way I think about things. Its an American film called "What the Bleep do we Know?" about quantum physics and how that applies to our lives. Synoptically, this movie discusses how our thoughts dictate our reality and how we can be in control of our environment. They also explain how they have scientifically proven some examples of this.

One such example is Dr. Emoto's work on photographing the water molecule. Dr. Emoto took water from the same source and put it into several different bottles and subjected these bottles to different thoughts and ideas. For example he put a label on one bottle called "Thank You." On another he put "You Make Me Sick. I Will Kill You." The next day Emoto photographed the water molecule with a microscope and got strikingly different images. "Thank You" presented a beautiful, symmetric crystal, while the other was distorted and discoloured. Just the thought that he put on that bottle physically changed the chemical structure of a water molecule! If the body is over 70% water, imagine what your thoughts can do to you...

He also had water subjected to different music, and names of world leaders.
Read more about this experiment here: (http://www.wellnessgoods.com/messages.asp).

I'm starting to believe now more in personal affrimations, optimistic tendancies, and treating others better. Try it. They also talk about in this movie that the synaptic interfaces in the brain are conditioned to certain paths that dictate how we react to situations. We react how we have in the past. Changing our thinking will weaken these links and form new links in the interfaces which will, in turn, change our behaviour.


I've still been really busy with the bar. I've really turned my focus and energy on managing staff. I'm learning how to do this bit by bit and hoping that this experience I can carry on to any line of work. I hope if I can manage a bunch of crazy bartenders, I can manage a group of nerdy engineers any day! I've also attended a manager's seminar through the Otago Polytechnic Univerisity here and learned a great deal on the subject. I will follow the steps necessary and eventually get a internationally recognized General Manager's Certfificate. It costs about $400 but I figure this is a good thing to have. I'm also thinking of attending a professional bartender's course which will give me an internationally recognized credit to the bartender's guild. I guess I just like learning in general and I figure if I do anything, I want to do it well. I'm also updating the website now (or supposed to) so feel free to join in: http://www.goodbars.co.nz/bars/GoodbarsHome/Skybar/tabid/58/Default.aspx

Ski season starts soon here (in about 5 weeks) and the whole town is buzzing about it. I don't expect the snow or the terrain to be anything to write home about, but I think it will be a fun experience nonetheless.

I also have more news to come as I'm moving into a new primo flat with a plasma TV, a spa and a sauna overlooking the lake! Stay tuned.

Holiday with Mom and Grandma

Today I saw them off and now, naturally, I'm a bit sad, realizing that I don't exactly know when I'm going to see them again. We had an amazing time, bonding with eachother over a very relaxing and well needed [for all of us] vacation away. For me, we saw much of the same places I'd been. However, I was still happy to revisit them in a different season, and thoroughly enjoyed being the tour guide. I tried to expose everyone to a bit of kiwi culture by trying out my new accent, pointing out customs, words, and foods. The last night we even had the treat of a home-baked Pavlova, a traditional kiwi dessert made from egg whites and sugar and topped with cream and fresh fruit, such as kiwi or strawberry. Our chefs and hosts were the amazing Rob and Debby, the fantastic kiwi family that so graciously invited me into their Wellington home when I first arrived in NZ.

(Debby's Wonderful Pavlova)

Our holiday started in Queenstown with Grandma and Mom, and Mark and Tim a day before, getting off the plane and making their first steps in the Southern Hemisphere. I introduced them to Queenstown and next we headed to the famous Milford Sound for a boat cruise. The weather was not as desirable as when I was there a few months back, but nonetheless, it was spectacluar. We also make a quick stop to the glow worm caves in Te Anau before heading back to snowy Queenstown.

(Milford with Mom and Grandma, Tim and Mark)

We went out to a few bars as I showed them Skybar and gave them the entire experience by lighting the bar on fire and performing like an deranged idiot.

(Skybar Shananagans)

We parted ways with Mark and Tim the next day as they were planning on going up to Mt. Cook and travel a bit faster to get to the North Island. Our trip continued up the West Coast of the South Island visiting Franz Joeseph Glacier and the reverent Pancake rocks. We were able to meet up with Mark and Tim again in Franz Joseph for a meal and to trade some stories. In Punikaiki, near pancake rocks, we stayed in a private, calming wooden cottage buried in the rainforest.

(Franz Joseph Glacier, Punikaiki Rainforest, Pancake Rocks)

Next, we made a very special visit to one of my old professors from Montana State. Dr. Mike Wells and his wife, Phyllis live on the West Coast 6 months out of the year and spend the other 6 in Montana. After not seeing eachother for 5 years, we caught up in New Zealand, of all places. We had a fantastic visit with Mike and Phyllis and were touched by their hospitality and their beautiful home, 50 yards back from the Tasman waves.

Sunny and warm Nelson capped off our South Island experience, were we made a stop near Abel Tasman National park for some views. We took the Picton Interislander Ferry up to Wellington and had a very pleasant stay with Rob and Debby before we had to say our emotional goodbyes.

(Mom and I near Abel Tasman National Park)

It was great to get out of Queenstown and see NZ again. I think when you're working in QT, you get into this zone that you can't think out of. Being out, I was re-inspired to both travel NZ and to try out some different jobs. I'm not making any moves yet, but now I'm thinking of looking for new jobs elsewhere, possibly returning to engineering. We'll see how it goes for the next few months. I'm coming up on my 6 month mark here. Wow, I've been here that long! *sigh*...Time flies.

My thoughts on a few things

I just have to say that I really enjoy reading so many of your comments and I greatly appreciate all of the compliments. I can't believe how I've inspired so many of you to write to me about how you are now thinking of traveling, or changing they way you live your lives. I've just realized how one person's actions can affect so many other people's lives. I hope everyone can acheive happiness and feel as if they are free in life. All it takes is that first small step.

Back in the US when I was daydreaming at my computer screen, I thought of working in Switzerland, living in Spain, or New Zealand and it all seemed so far fetched, like a dream, like it could only happen to those special people. Now that I've come down here, made that first step, and met people that have traveled the world, the dream has morphed into reality, into reach. It doesn't seem so hard or restricted anymore. I just hope all of you take steps toward dreams in your life, even if it's small steps.

My mom, grandma, and my friend Mark from Helena, MT are going to be here tomorrow and I'm really excited! Two people, Mark and my grandma, have never traveled outside of North America. They are coming half way around the world to visit, traveling outside of their comfort zones. I hope to broaden their view of traveling, and on life.

Recently, I've had car trouble, phone trouble, and a staff member quit all putting me in a bind for my upcoming two week vacation. For some reason, I'm not stressed out about all this. Back home, I would be worried to death and stressed. Here, I just keep believing that somehow things will work out, and I'm still generally happy. I think its just that I still believe that I'm on holiday and things are all ok, as if my 'real' life is still back home in the US. I've just realized that maybe we all should just treat our lives like we are "on holiday." Life works out. Funny how all these cliches are hitting home to me here.

What was is it about being back home [in the US] that some of us can't cut through the crud and see the simple things? Are we feeling that we are always trying to fill someone's expectations? Is there something about American society that stresses us out and puts pressure on performance and induces worry? I wonder.

Until the next mind dump...

The Routeburn Track

For those of you that don't already know, I took over the management of Skybar and things have been going pretty well. We have finally built a clientele and we are now on the map in terms of bars in Queenstown; its on everybody's pub crawl. It feels so good to be a contributer to the wild and crazy culture that makes Queenstown and to show people, both locals and tourists a good time. The management has been a new challenge for me in terms of hiring and training my own team of staff, keeping the bar stocked, getting broken things fixed, and most of all, keeping it fun, busy and running smooth. There are so many of the same cycles here as when I helped run the team of engineers on my project last summer, and its fun to see how life can contain so many hidden rhythms like that. I've been attacking it hard and apparently its paying off. The bar has been busy and the owner and bosses have been really happy with my work, giving good feedback and encouragement. Whats so liberating about running the place is that the owners are crazy themselves and go out and party a lot, so they know what it takes to keep a place fun. This allow me to be crazy, dance on tables and light the bar on fire, and they dig it. Pretty unique situation!
I just got back from an amazing trek in the mountains on the famous Routeburn track. It was a 3 day, 2 night hike, overall 38km (23 miles) through some of the best scenery I've ever seen. There were serene waterfalls and pools, alpine peaks, and cascading rivers and amongst high valleys. Many scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed on this track, and I felt a lot like the fellowship trekking through the alpine valleys on a journey through the pass of the misty mountains. Its just amazing how unique this place is, like a dreamland, and it makes you wonder if Lord of the Rings was written based on this place instead of the other way around. The landscape seems to inspire a feeling of kingdoms and grueling journeys.

The best part was that it was a fully-guided trip paid for by the owner of Skybar and other bars in Queenstown, a 1200 dollar per person value! It was sort of a staff party in which all the managers of 5 bars and 4 liquor stores were invited to come. All together with the upper management and owners, there were about 20 people. It was a great chance to me to get to know the owners and coworkers a bit better.

We were bused in and out and stayed each night in these private, posh lodges with hot showers, comfy warm beds, laundry facilities, and amazing views. To top is all off, we had all our meals prepared for us, and stopped for morning and afternoon hot tea, all in the middle of the mountains! We had steak dinner with mushrooms and potatoes the last night, can you imagine? Wow, what a unique, once in a lifetime experience!

The owner also sent in tons of bottles of wine, beer and spirits for each night via helicopter so we partied each night. I didn't drink very much, but I was amazed at how those kiwis could drink so much and then kick my ass on the trail the next day. As a side note, I've noticed that most kiwis seem to be really burly and tough. They all seem to be in incredible shape and can hike fast and I was told that some people run the whole Routeburn track in one day.

The first day was perfect, beautiful and sunny for 12km (7.2 miles) of gradual uphill climbing through a dry bush landscape. We stopped for lunch and a refreshing shower in beautiful Earland falls before making it to a more moist, mossy landscape on our way to Lake Mackenzie lodge for the first nights rest, including Chicken Kiev and wine for dinner!

(Earland Falls)

(Lake Mackenzie Lodge)

Day two started out cloudy through a dark, mossy, beach tree forest that eventually gave way to hot sun and a clear hillside and steep switchbacks. We summited a pass called Ocean Peak corner (1150m, ~3500ft) where you can seen the Tasman sea in the distance and followed a mountain ridge along Hollyford face into a cloudy, windy and cold Harris Saddle (1250m, ~3900ft). We also did an optional and incredibly steep part of the trail to summit Conical hill (1515m, ~4600ft) after lunch at the Harris Saddle hut. Finally, we decended through 2 wide open valleys into Routeburn Falls lodge for night 2. Went for a dip in the ice cold waterfall before dinner too! Overall distance, 16km (9.6mi)

(Ocean View Peak)

(Harris Saddle)
(Lake Harris)

(Conical Hill)

(Routeburn Falls)

(A very cold dip)

(Routeburn Falls Lodge)

Day three was quite easy on paper, 10km (6mi) downhill, but difficult for me as I was pretty sore. It was all down hill through the narrow Routeburn valley following a deep blue rushing river. The landscape was pretty consistent mossy bush and high canopy beach trees.

(Routeburn Valley)

(Routeburn River)

It was so great to get back into the mountains and do some tramping. It has really refreshed my motivation to get into the outdoors, which is why I came here to NZ in the first place.

Milford Sound, a land of extremes

The life of a vampire, er, bartender. Up all night, sleep all day, and wincing in the sunlight. The new bar, Skybar, is going well. Chris and I have developed quite a reputation in town and every week is starting to get busier. I think we are becoming the new place to be in Queenstown! Chris has just amazed me at how well he can create a party, play the right music, and win the crowd. I’m leaning so much about people, about creating fun, and about life down here.

I feel that I have changed my outlook on things--not quite sure exactly how, but I know I have. I seem to live for the moment a bit more, treating my life as if it were short. For example, I feel like skydiving, which is something I’ve always been scared of, but I want to do it. Maybe breaking free from corporate America, and away from routine unleashed something inside me, like a personal liberation. I’ve noticed that traveling abroad generally causes one’s outlook on life to become more broad and global. Queenstown is special in the fact that you meet people that have done the same, broken away from their comfort zone. Its inspiring to hear their stories about travel and experiences.

The progression of Skybar is great but also exhausting for Chris and I since we are the only two running the bar--we are struggling to find any good staff with a bit of personality at the moment. This makes it really hard to get away and as a result, I haven’t done much outside of Queenstown which is a bit sad. However, we got someone to cover temporarily for one night and we got a chance to visit one of the icons of New Zealand, Milford Sound.

Milford Sound is part of Fiordland National park located on the Southwest coast of the South Island and a 5hr drive from Queenstown. Chris, my Scottish friend Stu, and I started the day with a five hour drive to the sound at 6am, which was completely backwards hours for us (Chris worked the night before and didn’t go to bed). However, we booked a 2 ½ hr boat cruise through the sound the day before and were looking forward to a nice relaxing day. The morning was misty and foggy and we were worried that we weren’t going to see anything when we got there, but it made for some nice photos along the way. The drive was still incredible and we still got to see some really nice scenery.

We arrived at Milford into a bunch of fog and frustrated and tired, we napped for an hour. Then, surprisingly, one ½ hr before our cruise, the sun burned the fog away, and the weather turned out perfect!

(My friends Till (GER), Chris (Skybar and ENGLAND), and Stu (Scotland))

We had an incredible narrated cruise through the sound relaxing and taking in some breathtaking sights. The massive valleys were created by extremely thick glaciers, some as thick as 1400 meters (~ 4500 ft) during the last ice age. We learned the rock around the place is mainly volcanic and thus very dense. The extreme pressure and grinding of the glaciers long ago left ‘wrinkles’ in the rock that are still visible today as evidence of the incredible force of the ice.

(Chris and I)

Queenstown and my job

Hello All!

Its been a long time since I posted, allow me to explain...

I'm in Queenstown now, the party capital of New Zealand, but also the extreme adventure capital as well. People come from all around to bungi jump, skydive, white water raft, and much more. As a result, this town attracts quite a crowd of young crazy travelers. Its also a gateway to the famous Milford Sound and Mt. Aspiring National park (where much of Lord of the Rings was filmed). This town has probably the most striking setting I've seen so far in NZ surrounded by rocky peaks and hugged by one of the deepest lakes in NZ.

As I mentioned before, I've been vigorously working since the second day I got here and thus have been really busy over the last few weeks. I got here with $400 and needed to get a job ASAP. Within 2 days, I had 3 job offers as a bartender since this town is crying for hospitality workers. I did a trial at a funky, brand new cocktail bar called Skybar and within 45 min, the guy offered me a job. Skybar is a nice wine and cocktail bar with a high-class loungy feel, but it's open late (until 4am), so it gets quite a crowd of late night people that party hard. In fact, there are a few bars that have 24hr licenses and many are open until 5am. Since I've turned my nights and days around, there have been many nights, I've come home when the sun was coming up!

This bar is only 5 weeks old, and just this other guy Chris and I run the place including the liquor orders, money counting, and ordering. Our mission from the owners is to make this bar the most popular place in town, it's kind of a nice challenge. Chris has taught me how to throw a good party for people and give them what they want. We have control over everything, the music, the drinks, the lights, the entertainment. There's a lot of freedom and anything goes! It's liberating having so much freedom and creativity with a job. I really like that, as this was something that was restricted a bit with my engineering job.

To make this the most popular place in town is a tall order since there are so many other bars. We try to do some different and crazy things like dancing on tables, performing to songs like Broadway performers, and we are also doing this "ring of fire" trick. We get lighter fluid, play Johnny Cash's song, and light the bar on fire and people love it! We've gotten so much positive feedback from everyone, it really motivates me to do more. Two people last weekend told me that was the best bar they'd ever been to in their life!

Its fun to get into bartending again, I missed it during my professional life. Additionally, I've secretly always wanted to be a Thespian and a part of me does like being "on stage." I also enjoy the craft of making a nice tasting cocktail and being creative with flavors, ingredients, spirits, and garnishes-its an art.
This seems a bit off track of my intentions for NZ, but its what I fell into, and I'm enjoying myself. Additionally, spontaneity was part of my plan for traveling, as I do think that that creates a more special experience, letting yourself fall into something. It was also the first and fastest job I could get here since I needed cash.

Since I've been working, I've been completely impressed with the people I've met here in Queenstown. Its a different town in the fact that no one really stays here longer than a year. There's a constant influx of new workers, travelers and locals. This transient atmosphere, combined with the high number of nightclubs, outdoor activities, and an amazing setting, creates a unique aura. Since all of us know that we are all away from our families and in the same situation, we take care of each other. Its like a big family of people working in the hospitality industry. I was taken back with how I was welcomed with opened arms as a new member of the team. They've been so warm and accepting, its made the introduction back to work enjoyable. People knew who I was even before I met them. I'm known as the "Rocket Scientist" that works at Skybar. Kind of fitting, isn't it?

So I'm experiencing all aspects of life: nature and beauty, a new culture and job, and a great and supportive social scene. What is really enjoyable here is that, unlike some of my experiences in America, people are so accepting and less judgemental. I really feel like I can be myself without someone asking "why are you wearing that? or You can't dance" People are so open-minded and everyone just want to have a good time. There are so many things that wouldn't fly in the US. It's so free. People are less superficial and aren't trying to be someone they are not. They are not trying to be "so cool." I really like that, it's real.

Alive and in Queenstown

Hello all!

I'm alive and well and having a lot of fun. I've been working on a post, but haven't been happy with the way I've written it and thus haven't posted it yet. Additionally, I've since gotten a job and been pretty busy the last 3 weeks.

In a nutshell, I spent Christmas in a hostel on a sheep farm in the middle of nowhere, near Twizel and the Kingdom of Rohan. It was quite peaceful, but I was a bit lonely after parting ways with my friends Olivia and Doug. A nice couple of older ladies from Vienna, AUS made me Xmas dinner, so that was quite nice! I went for a nice grueling hike on Christmas day, as it was 75 degrees and sunny, really nice!

(Buscot Station, a nice homelike hostel on a sheep farm near Twizel)

Currently, I'm in Queenstown and I've gotten a job as a bartender at a brand new bar called Skybar. Its a really fun job and we serve fine wines and make really nice cocktails. Late at night, the place gets busy and becomes a party bar where people go crazy and dance on the tables! Queenstown is quite the party town, and people party until 8am most nights. Our bar is open until 4am, so I've switched my days and nights around.

I'm still living at a hostel and looking to get a flat soon--sharing a room with 5 other guys is not fun!

I will get you more details and pictures later when I have more time. Right now, this is just a filler to let you know whats going on.

Cheers and thanks for tuning in. I really appreciate the comments!!!

-Rob

Haast Pass, Mt. Cook, and The New Zealand Experience

Our journey continued with the passage from Haast to Mt. Cook via Wanaka (from the West Coast through the Alps and into the central part of the S. Island) was outstanding. I grew up in the mountains and thus am used to seeing immaculate snow capped peaks, but never like this-- even I was astonished. Endless ranges of mountains freshly dusted with snow surrounded us as we traveled through the deep valleys and along cold crystal clear rivers during 8 consecutive hours of driving. We were belittled not only by the size of these mountains, but by their extravagance as each of them had a different combination of foilage, snow, and rock. We were drunk with happiness and nothing could have made a long drive easier.

(Haast Pass)

After leaving the coastline, the scenery changed but still retained its deep beauty. On Lindis pass, the connection between Wanaka and Twizel, we witnessed a floral landscape like none other. Being springtime here, many NZ wildflowers are in bloom and this area was dominated by alpine lupines. I've seen these in the states, but these were nothing like home. Not only were they gigantic in size, but they existed in all different hues of yellow, blue, purple, lavender, magenta, and white. The air was heavy with sweet fragrance as we photographed the endless colorful carpets of lupine. I was again in a dreamworld and frolicked in this interactive 3-D Monet painting. The pictures cannot describe the experience of seeing these infinite fields of lupines, I'd liken it to a place where the Easter bunny would live...under the willows next to the river in fields of colorful flowers.

(The Amazing Lupine Valley)

Our legendary drive terminated in the large valley of Twizel, home of the last battle scene of Lord of the Rings, Return of the King (Kingdom of Rohan). The next morning we drove to the base of Mt. Cook, the highest peak in NZ at around 3900 meters (~12,000 ft). This sharp faced tooth and the mountains around it were not suprisingly fused with glaciers and fresh snow, creating a true alpine feel.

We originally planned to hike the Mueller Track, one of NZ's great walks, but had to replan since the route had several snow avalanches due to the recent snowfall and current sunny conditions. Instead, we hiked up to Ball Pass alongside the Tasman glacier, the largest glacier in NZ at 28 km (17 mi.) long and 90 m deep (~300 ft). The glacier is rapidly receding and covered in rock, creating a landscape that looked like something from Mars: dark brown ice bergs floating in a chocolate colored lake. We spent the night nestled between our beloved mountain peaks in a small hut with three other new friends, people from Germany, Italy and the US.

(Mt. Cook and Lake Pukaki)

(Mt. Cook on far right, and surrounding mtns)

(Tasman Glacier, left, and home sweet home, Ball shelter, right)

I still cannot believe that one place on planet Earth can have so many naturally beautiful things. I often find it hard to accurately describe my feelings here without sounding trite and repetitive. Nevertheless, somehow I still find peace in communicating how moving these sights have been for me.

Because of the deep beauty and unspoiled nature of New Zealand, I have had some rich experiences. In several of them, the splendor of the surroundings has been so epic that time seemed to slow, and everything happened in slow motion, much like a dream. Surprisingly, in this dreamy trance, I have felt incredibly alive, alert, and inspired.

For me, this South Island is a dreamland. When you think it just can’t get any more spectacular, it does. You see a beautiful lake and mountain range and think what could be more beautiful. Then you turn around and there is a beautiful waterfall cutting through another mountain range behind you.