My trip to Middle Earth

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Me, before being a thirdeyemom, on the South Island of New Zealand, with Mount Cook across the aquamarine lake.

I always find it hard starting a new series of posts.   I find myself delaying that first step and sitting at my computer with that dreaded writer’s block trying to conjure up the enthusiasm for beginning anew.

My China posts were so easy and a pleasure to write for several reasons.  First of all, the trip was recent and fresh in my mind.  Second of all, I took over 800 pictures and kept meticulous pages of notes.  And last of all, I traveled with a blogger’s mindset and in particular, my “third-eye” approach.   I used my “third eye” to expand my horizon and search out things I wouldn’t normally see.  Thus, my trip to China was by far one of the most enriching trips I’ve taken and wound up being a pleasure to write about.

I thought long and hard about whether or not I could write a series of posts on a place I visited over ten years ago.  New Zealand.  It was a road trip my husband and I took in November 2002.  I don’t have 800 pictures.  The photos all had to be scanned.  And, it was a long time ago.  Hmmm…..would it possible?

Yes, I decided.  Why not?

What I do have is one ten-year-old handwritten journal, a photo album filled of memories and a passion for sharing my travels around the world, especially with my most favorite places like New Zealand. So why not?  I am going to give it a whirl and tell you about my two weeks of heaven in Middle Earth, the land of The Lord of the Rings.  A place that captured my heart and soul and ranked one of the top trips of all time.

After reading this series of posts you will agree that New Zealand is one of the loveliest places on earth.  And I can’t wait to share it with you!

Stay tuned….

14 thoughts on “My trip to Middle Earth”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply ↓
  2. Rory Alexander – Ever growing blogger that spent 2 years in living in China, then 6 weeks backpacking around New Zealand and is now back home in South Africa for the foreseeable future.
    Rory Alexander on said:

    I’m sure you will have no problem writing about New Zealand even if it was over ten years ago. It is such a beautiful country with so much to offer.
    Looking forward to seeing New Zealand through your “eye.”

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Rory! I only wish I could go again now with a better camera. These pictures are quite grainy but they are still beautiful. I am excited to revisit NZ!

      Reply ↓
  3. Jennifer Avventura – Canadian Freelance writer living in Sardinia, Italy. A serial immigrant who has lived in Australia, England, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. When she's not out running 6k you will find her sitting at the computer - writing her novel and searching for worldwide work.
    Jennifer Avventura on said:

    Oooo, can’t wait to read your adventures in New Zealand.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I am excited to start writing!!!! TIme to pull out those dusty old journals! See what I can remember!

      Reply ↓

  4. NIcole,
    I am looking forward to your series. I was in the South Island back in December 2000 and it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. North Islands is not bad either.
    Dan

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Dan! We went to both islands and I must say I liked the South the best. I wish I had more pictures but oh well. How would I have known ten years ago that I would use them as a blogger?!

      Reply ↓

  5. I’m looking forward to this series! I’ve never been, but I’ve heard so many wonderful things from other folks.

    I’m also envious that you have a journal that you can draw from! There are so many trips that I took pre-digital camera and pre-blog that I wish I could share but I wouldn’t have enough photos and/or recollection of the details in order to do so. Your post reminded me that even if I stop blogging, I should still remember to keep notes for me.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I rate NZ as one of my all time favorite places I’ve ever been. If you could fit it in to your around the world I’m sure you wouldn’t regret it. It is absolutely spectacular and the people are amazing. I only scanned 80 pics in total. The quality isn’t that good and makes me believe, wow, the pictures would really be amazing if I went again today with my new camera! I have a stack of 30 journals that I have kept over the years. I am so glad I have them as they document my life starting in college until right after the birth of Sophia. Then I became too busy to write! But I do treasure them and enjoy opening them up sometimes over a glass of wine and looking back into the past!

      Reply ↓
  6. Where's Juan? – I am an artist who is working on projects that explore boundaries. I like to push my body and mind beyond it's limits and hopefully gain knowledge in the process. I love to travel with only a plan of figuring it out when I get there! I rather meet new people and have them show me around, where to go, what to do. If I can combine my art and travel, it would be amazing! Maybe this is my next project??
    Where's Juan? on said:

    That is such a great picture. I’m excited for the rest of the series!!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! These are oldies but goodies! I had to personally scan all these ten year old photos into my computer!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you for the reblog! I really appreciate it!

      Reply ↓

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