avatarFranzi Kinzel

Summary

Franzi Kinzel shares a personal and visual journey through New Zealand's South Island, expressing deep love and connection to its landscapes and nature.

Abstract

Through a series of breathtaking photographs and heartfelt prose, Franzi Kinzel recounts her 1.5-year residence in New Zealand's South Island. Her narrative reveals a profound emotional bond with the region's natural beauty, from its rivers and mountains to its trees and stars. Kinzel describes the South Island as a place that transformed her, offering solace, wisdom, and a sense of belonging. Her photo essay serves as a testament to the power of nature to inspire and heal, inviting readers to experience the magic of New Zealand through her eyes.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep, instant love for New Zealand, considering it a significant influence in her life.
  • New Zealand's natural elements are personified, depicted as nurturing and guiding forces in the author's personal journey.
  • The South Island is portrayed not just as a physical place but as a catalyst for internal exploration and growth.
  • The essay conveys a sense of gratitude and reverence for the beauty and tranquility of the South Island's landscapes.
  • The author suggests that her time in New Zealand has set a high standard for future experiences, implying that it has been a defining chapter in her life.

I Fell In Love With The End Of The World

Follow Me On A Photo Journey Through New Zealand’s South Island

Somewhere along the road to Milford Sound, South Island of New Zealand ©Franzi Kinzel Photography

Take me back to the land of white clouds. Where rivers flow plenty. And mountains become my home.

The South Island of New Zealand had been my home for 1.5 years from 2017 to 2018. I lived in Wanaka for most of my time there and immersed myself in beautiful landscapes and remote nature. A country out of my wildest dreams. A land for dreams, fantasies, creations.

Dear New Zealand,

Of all the things I have fallen in love with, you have been one of my biggest loves.

Your waters, lakes, rivers and sea took my tears and dissolved them into pure happiness. Your trees shared century-old wisdom, giving me the knowledge to connect with everything surrounding me. Your cloudy skies comforted me like a warm blanket on a winter night. And your stars, your bright shining stars led me through the darkness, never leaving my side and assuring me that I would never be alone.

It was instant love. Love at first sight. There was no doubt you would stay in my heart forever. Making it hard for anything that would come after.

You might be the end of the world but for me, you were the start of a big journey. A journey within. A journey without. Connecting me to new passions and leading me to develop an immense appreciation and love for nature and people.

I am forever grateful to have experienced your beautiful soul.

With Love, Franzi

This is a photo essay showcasing the beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. I hope you enjoy it.

(All photos were taken by the author ©Franzi Kinzel Photography)

Views of Lake Matheson (left), Mou Waho Island (middle) and Lake Wakatipu (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Views of Mt. Aspiring Nationalpark (left) and Castle Hill (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Views of Lake Wanaka ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Views of the Upper Clutha River (left), Clay Cliff (middle) and the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Somewhere on the South Island of New Zealand ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Mountain Views along Lake Wakatipu (left), Lake Wanaka (middle) and the Upper Clutha River (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Waterfall at Milford Sound (left) and views from Mou Waho Island (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
View of Lake Hawea (left), Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown Hill (middle) and Lake Wakatipu from Ben Lomond (right) ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Somewhere along the Abel Tasman Coast Track ©Franzi Kinzel Photography
Views from Castle Hill ©Franzi Kinzel Photography

If you like my work and want to support me so I can spend more time creating, you can buy me a coffee here.

Franzi is a fine art land- & seascape photographer, writer and crafty girl who spends most of her time in nature capturing moments or writing about anything swirling around in her imaginative head.

More photography essays by Franzi:

SUBSCRIBE HERE if you don’t want to miss an article written by Franzi.

If you’re not a Medium member yet and you would like to read more articles from Franzi and other writers you can use this referral link:

Nature
Photography
Art
Travel
New Writers Welcome
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarErin Anne Lynch
What I wish I’d known about unemployment

Have you ever watched a friend spend months unemployed?

8 min read
avatarSufyan Maan, M.Eng
What Happens When You Start Reading Every Day

Think before you speak. Read before you think. — Fran Lebowitz

6 min read
avatarBenjamin Watkins
My Life Changed When I Rewrote the Rules of Writing

Crazy things began to happen. Crazy good things.

4 min read
avatarKarolina Kozmana
Common side effects of not drinking

By rejecting alcohol, you reject something very human, an extra limb that we have collectively grown to deal with reality and with each…

10 min read
avatarElle Cheron
5 Habits That Saved Me 3 Hours+ A Day

DON’T skip number 3

4 min read
avatarEmilie
The Art of Not Making a Decision

Help! I can’t choose for myself.

5 min read