The view from where we stayed. This is the country where the “Lord of the Rings” films were made.
Earlier this year I visited New Zealand, having been fortunate enough to have been there before. Traveling is an important part of my life, and has been since my first trip many moons ago to Italy. By my count I have visited forty-seven countries and experienced so many unique cultures, people, food, wine, museums and landscapes.
As far as geography goes, New Zealand is the most gorgeous country I have been to. Many of you have seen it as the backdrop for the “Lord of the Rings” films—and as incredible as they were, there is nothing like being there and experiencing it firsthand. The landscape is majestic, and there is a power and grace that imbues the views, the air, the energy, the Maori culture.
I particularly enjoyed shearing sheep. After all, how often can a guy from the Bronx say that? New Zealand is a country of 5.4 million people and an estimated 23.6 million sheep—beautiful, sweet, adorable. It was an honor to visit with a sheep herder and be allowed to shear alongside him. A lifetime memory.
Farmland under a Southern Hemisphere sky. Forty-seven countries and nothing has looked like this.
At the arch. I love to travel, explore, experience new things.
I generally do not like open heights. In a lifelong effort to overcome self-imposed fears, here we are at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge—450 feet above the water.
Photos courtesy of Arthur Gurwitz