New Zealand

Shut up, Gollum! We don't have time your primal ring talk.

Need a reset heading into 2026? Pick a place (cough New Zealand cough) that makes you feel tiny.

We’ve lit Gondor’s beacons and assembled our top recommendations to wrap 2025.

Read with haste.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook (Hike: Hooker Lake via Hooker Valley Track)

Destination Rec:


My first immersive nature experience came as a 21-year-old on the South Island of New Zealand.

From mountains to fiords, I felt a kind of awe that made time move differently. A week felt like a month. It was one of my first real experiences with Time Dilation.

The first mountain hike came at Aoraki/Mt. Cook (Hike: Hooker Lake via Hooker Valley Track) on a gusty, rainy day. We ventured through the valleys of rivers, lush vegetation, and rocky waterfalls. The mountain is partly named after Captain Cook, who charted New Zealand in the 1700s.

Queenstown, in the southern region of the island, lives up to its name. Nestled beside a lake and tucked between mountains, you can find everything from mountain biking to a burger to a ‘big-night-out’ bar crawl featuring an ice bar. It feels like one of the adventure capitals of Earth.

Milford Sound is a well-known Fiord accessible from Queenstown. The Sound provides glassy waters, epic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and a safe haven for sea creatures to raise their young before exploring the wider ocean. Boat cruising or a helicopter ride are common methods to view the scale of the area.

Another hike, Gertrude Saddle Route, included an aerial view of the Fiords. As a beginner, this hike was a humbling but rewarding experience. Roys Peak Track also provided a physical challenge with a rewarding view at the summit.

Lake Tekapo is worth a stop. While not for swimming, it provides a lovely view for dinner and numerous trails for exploration.

To wrap up the South Island experience, a flight between Queenstown and Christchurch with Air New Zealand is worth it. I felt like I was flying above Jurassic Park.
Movie Rec:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Nothing says happy holidays like revisiting a timeless classic. I forgot how poetic this film is. I recommend breaking up the viewing across two days.

Song Rec: 

Moon Palace - Stick Figure

Stick Figure is back with a new album: Free Flow Sessions.

I first heard this tune during their Red Rocks show in 2024. This is a fun album that feels almost unfinished in a beautiful way. It provides a taste of the artist's creative process as you listen. Perfect for a long car ride.

Book Rec: 

The Lion Tracker's Guide To Life - Boyd Varty.

Inspired by the podcast shared above, I’ve purchased one of Boyd’s books. If you’re unsure whether it's worth the $12 investment, read the title again.

Quote to consider:

“The world isn't in your books and maps, it's out there.” - J.R.R. Tolkien, and Gandalf

Milford Sound - South Island, New Zealand

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