Few places live up to the hopeful names of a place - Los Angeles, Eden Falls, Bloomfield...
But Paradise, New Zealand is a place that doesn't feel like an exaggeration. The rolling hills, gentle forests, spectacular views of Dart River and the surrounding mountains were stunningly beautiful. It's hard to describe the thrill and it's best experienced with all your senses but here are some pictures I took on a trip this weekend:






The horseback ride itself was a joy, despite the fact that I haven't ridden in almost 30 years, thanks to the great guide Pear and his gentle horses. Check out Dart Stable's
Ride of the Rings Tour. Not being a dedicated Lord of the Rings fan, his detailed explanations of each scenes shot in Paradise didn't quite register. But the stories of Peter Jackson's challenges of shooting a massive blockbuster were fascinating non the less.
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Paradise, New Zealand, horseback riding, horse, forest, Lord of the Rings, LOTR, Peter Jackson, The Misty Mountains, Lothlórien, Amon Hen, Dart Stables, Methedras, Wizard's Vale, Isengard.