Fox Glacier

After spending the night in Fox Glacier, we woke up on Tuesday morning and visited the glacier. The title picture is of me and Rachel at Fox Glacier. Tim shot the picture to the right as we went in. It is a great reflection of the mountains off of the water.






We hiked in about 1/2 mile to the glacier. We had to cross a stream, by stepping across rocks, which was perilous for someone with a lack of balance, like me. Luckily, we all made it to the glacier completely dry. This picture is the rebellious Liz stopping where the sign clearly says not to. Apparently, they have rock slides in this area quite frequently. I had to include it, because anyone who knows Liz knows that she has never broken any single rule in her life... UNTIL NOW!!!










This is a good video that Tim took of Fox Glacier.





Reflections - Hobbit Hunting

In case you did not know, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was shot in New Zealand. While there, we saw many of the sites where various parts of the movies were filmed. The movie documents the tale of a hobbit, who is tasked with bearing a symbolic burden. Hobbits are peaceful and very small.

"Newzies" are very fond of hobbits, and if you visit, you should ask them as many questions as you can as frequently as possible about hobbits. They are so fond of them in fact that they post signs everywhere about them. This sign means "Caution Hobbits, Wet Floor".











This particular sign warns hobbits of potential rock slides. It turns out that Liz did not break the rules after all. It only applies to hobbits, as the rocks are very small.














Hobbits are notoriously poor swimmers. At the end of the first movie, Samwise Gamgee, friend of Frodo Baggins, almost drowns because he jumps in the river to follow Frodo, but cannot swim. This sign warns other hobbits of the potential to drown in a glacier wave.





This sign shows that hobbits are normally friendly. It shows a woman walking with a hobbit. Hobbits and Maoris have been completely integrated into New Zealand society. It is quite the opposite of the aboriginees in Australia, who were alienated and persecuted.










Most people know that New Zealand is a very environmentally focused and peaceful society. Most residents would likely align themselves with the "left" in the U.S. This sign warns of right-wing hobbits. These hobbits like to hunt and generally do not like paying 50% of their income in taxes.



This sign is for Americans driving through New Zealand. It warns that there are hobbits in the area riding Shetland ponies. Please do not hit them.









Unfortunately, it is often difficult to spot hobbits in New Zealand. They are generally shy and try to stay out of touristy areas. We hoped to spot one and capture him/her on film during our adventures.

I thought I spotted one in the bushes above. Not quite.

Finally, while at Fox Glacier, we spotted a real hobbit. She almost ran off camera before Tim was able to shoot the picture with his Blackberry. It was an amazing experience.