Day 15 – Sunday 22nd December

Milford Sound & Queenstown

Well after three weather-related disasters we were rather nervous about today. But we awoke to sunshine

He didn't let me...

through the windows and blue skies. A call to ‘Air Milford’ confirmed it was on, and that a taxi would collect us from the site at 11.10am. By 12pm we were airborne and headed for Milford Sound. Milford Sound is at the end of a very long spectacular road – one way in and same way out. I have driven enough spectacular roads on this trip, and doing it this way did not disappoint. Keep an eye on facebook and I will post a video of us flying out of Milford. The flight is basically over and around the Southern Alps. At times the mountains seemed alarming close to the side of the plane, we were literally flying between them. There was

The Southern Alps

still snow on the high peaks. Then a descent from the coast down the Milford Sound. A fly past the airfield before a sharp U-turn and down to land. The best bit – I got to be co-pilot and had the best seat in the house!

Mitre Peak - though the Maori have a better name...

Sterling Waterfall Milford Sound

Milford Sound is on pretty much everyone’s must see of New Zealand list. Just google the place and check out all the photos. It is stunning. The only thing there really is a boat dock where we were taken on a ‘nature cruise’ – out to the Tasman sea and back, passing the peaks which rise to over a mile high straight out of the water. Add to that several waterfalls and tree lined cliffs. Most days of our lives we forget. The ones we truly live we remember. We all felt very alive today.

The return flight took another route. Once again I bagged the front seat. Once again there were fantastic views and true mountain flying. We were back in the Campground by 5pm.

We had a brief look around town. I am not sure what to make of Queenstown. It is a stunning place. It is also the “adventure capital” with many companies trying to get your $$$s. Bungy jumping, free fall parachuting, rafting etc. This draws a certain crowd. The bars are noisy and packed with ‘gap year’ sorts – many in bandages – all this adventure is obviously not without risk. So some of this place is any UK University town in welcome week – permanently! I won’t miss that bit.

Tomorrow we will take the gentle cable car to the summit above us before heading southwards to the coast. Apparently there is some sort of public holiday next week and all the Kiwis head for Queenstown. So we will be somewhere else.

Things I learned today:

• Milford Sound is not really a sound but a true glacial Fjord
• They have chavs in NZ