Leaving Glenorchy the tour group next visited Paradise Valley in Mt. Aspiring National Park. We stopped at the site of Middle Earth’s Lothlorian Forest. Francesco Garino, our guide, took out some Lord of the Rings costumes for us to wear. Cloaks, pointed hats … and swords. Don’t know whether these were Weta-made or screen-used.

Watch me take on some Orcs.

Wait a minute.

My blade is shrinking. Ahhhhh!!!!

Now that’s a knife.

Next: Eisengard in Real Earth.