Ironically, the most beautiful place on Earth looks like another planet. We almost didn’t witness Pohutu Geyser, the majestic 100-foot natural wonder you see below. Realizing we were cramming way too much into a 10-day trip through both North and South Island, we contemplated skipping geothermal hotspots in favor of glaciers farther south. What a mistake that would have been!

Te Puia, a 60-hectare valley with more than 500 geothermal wonders, is absolutely mesmerizing in its beauty, power, and otherworldliness. Where else can you feel like you’re both on the Moon and a Swiss alpine lake? This landscape was begging for an impromptu photo shoot, so I hurried back to our campervan, changed, and twirled my way through the park, undeterred by the curious Chinese tour group cueing up around us. If a heavy rain had not swept in, I never would have left. Truly a magical day.

This rock reminds me of the Nome King in “Return to Oz”

Dress: BCBG (shop similar styles)

Dress: BCBG (shop similar styles)

Dress: BCBG (shop similar styles)

Photography by Tim & Jessica Peterson

Jacket: Steve Madden via TJ Maxx (similar styles)

Scarf: H&M Tokyo (similar)

Sunglasses: Target (similar)

Earrings: Bali

On Tim

Jacket: Calvin Klein Outlet (similar)

Sunglasses: Ross

Scarf: Kmart

Camera bag: Case Logic (similar)