But land maps don’t tell the whole story of Middle Earth, because when you get to bodies of water there are Leviathans in the sea. For example, here is a colossal squid found off the coast of NZ.  Perhaps you will remember the tentacled sea creature that just about snagged a Hobbit as they entered the mines of Moria.  I’m betting it was like this squid, which the Hobbits then pickled and put in a Hobbit museum somewhere.

But there were other great sea creatures off the coast of Middle Earth. Behold the ammonite. This is not any ordinary escargot.

The New Zealand islands have so much to offer by way of geographical surprises.  Remember as one goes further and further south, the weather gets colder and colder.  One can be swimming off the north island in the morning, jump on a plane, and ski on the Southern Alps of the south island in the afternoon.  One can enjoy gently kayaking in the bays around Auckland, and then head for the really big and dangerous surf in the Tasmanian Sea off the west coast.  One can bask in the hot, murky minerals of the geothermal springs around Rotorua, and drink crystal clear water from the glacial lakes around Queenstown. 

There could hardly be a more perfect locale than New Zealand for the filming of these wonderful Narnia and LOTR tales.  And the good news is, they’re not done!  Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the Hobbit are next, albeit they are projects shared with Australia.  Praise God we lived to see these fantastic tales written by creative Christians properly visualized. 

Thanks to all the wonderful Kiwis who hosted us while we were exploring New Zealand, especially our Wesleyan church-hosts Richard and Jane Waugh plus our hospitable house-hosts Graham and Jennie Jones.  We hope to return before the Return of the King.  As Gandalf tells Sauruman in the battle on the dark tower: “There is only one true Lord of the Rings”!