Mavora Lakes - Borders Fangorn Forrest & Nen Hithoel

Kia Ora and welcome back to my adventures on the South Island of New Zealand.

I've already told you that I wasn't alone on this trip to the Mavora Lakes. At breakfast I wrote to Amelie asking if she would like to join me and she actually wanted to and was already on her way in that direction anyway.

So I sent her the map data and off we went. The journey there wasn't all that wonderful, as it was a full 37 km one way to this wonderful place. But I've learned this by now: at the end of a gravel road in New Zealand there is always a small miracle.

When we arrived at the campsite, we noticed that there were definitely some sandflies up here, so we set off straight away and hiked around the southern Mavora Lake. Well, we'd say we walked, as the path was really flat and very, very beautiful. For anyone who knows the path around the Plansee: The path reminded me of it quite often.

Up here I noticed once again that it is definitely already autumn and winter is unfortunately coming closer and closer - even if I don't want to admit it and maybe even ignore it a little. But as long as the sun is shining it is really pleasant and the sun is definitely still really strong.

The whole walk took about 3 hours and in the end we timed it just right because there was a short shower at the campsite. I liked it from a distance too. After the walk we quickly jumped into the lake and then had delicious ramen for dinner - yummy! After a few hours in my sleeping bag with my hot water bottle I had to go out again. It was only 9 o'clock but it was already pitch black outside and I couldn't help but try to show you this incredible starry sky that I could see here.

After the lake, we went back to the campsite and there I met Amelie again, as she had already driven back onto paved roads before me. Before I left, I visited one of the film locations for Lord of the Rings. The Northern Mavora Lake was used for the lake Nen Hithoel where Frodo leaves the Fellowship in the first film. Super cool - at least for me. Maybe someone will recognize the spot. ;)

I visited another spot the day before when I drove to the lakes. But this one fits better at the end of the post, as it was also a filming location for The Lord of the Rings. This is where the Uruks were struck down. It is the border of Fangorn Forest where the two captured hobbits flee.

Two more spots at the end of the world for a little Lord of the Rings fan and the landscape is simply breathtaking, so it was definitely worth it.

The next day the weather was supposed to be nice and so I decided that I wanted to see Milford Sound and take a hike in the fjords while the weather was good.

Your Britta