Wed, 15 Nov: Milford Sound Flyover

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The day started with one of those small world stories".  At breakfast we met a couple and started the typical conversation one has with strangers.  When the subject of "where're you from" came up the answer from one of them was England.  When Deb asked more questions we found out that he grew up in Clevedon, minutes away from where Pat and Brian live in Weston in Gordan.  Turns out his father and mother play golf at the same country club that Brian is a member.  It is a small, small world.

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Also met a young American couple who had flown to New Zealand to be married!

We called the airport to confirm our fly-cruise-fly to Milford Sound.  While the weather was sunny at the airport, clouds were beginning to thicken on the other side of the Southern Alps - the location of Milford Sound.  We were advised to come to the airport, and a decision would be made at 9am as to whether there would be a flight.   We showed up a 9, and were told the cruise was definitely off but that we could fly over.  So we opted to do that.

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Mostly sunny skies when we took off at 9am in a 6 seater Cessna.  A couple from Sweden joined us.  The flight lasted 1.5 hours, and was spectacular.   Over the first 20 minutes I kept thinking that my cousin Pat would love this.  Smooth flight, incredible scenery.  After awhile though it got bumpier and a bit unsettling.  Not bad, but one did feel a bit exposed to the elements.  Here we are flying around the mountains,  over some, but definitely were looking UP at the tops of some of them.  Then the wind would buffet us about, and there were a few anxious moments for sure.  I'm glad we did it, but I think I might try bungy jumping before I do another small plane trip!

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Afterwards decided that our planned trip up the west coast had to cancelled due to weather.  A major disappointment as that part of New Zealand is particularly scenic.  Weather is making front page news almost every day here.  Winds were gusting in excess of 150kmh in some areas, and some parts of the west coast had 22cm inches in a day.

We opted instead to drive south to the Catlins Park, just east of Invercargill.  On the way we stopped for more Thai food in Arrowtown before continuing the trek south.

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Aside:  There's a new movie out, or soon to be released, titled "The Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins.  Apparently the movie was made in the Invercargill area.  Will have to watch when we return home.

Had dinner at the Niagara Falls Cafe.

Another highlight of the day may have been seeing a yellow eyed penguin.  It was quite dusky so the pic is not great, but glad to have it all the same.  I had hoped for hundreds of penguin sighings, but ended up only seeing two.  Still, not bad:  Two penguin sightings, and our feet were back firmly on the ground.

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While waiting for the penguins we met Jens and his wife.  They were German, but Jens' English was plenty good to carry on a conversation.  Most of the story was about the van they had rented to tour NZ.  They had had one problem after another, including brake issues, and then the van leaking at nite while they were trying to sleep.  Jens insisted that they had actually used chewing gum to seal the leaks.  He had us laughing throughout the story.  He concluded by saying something to the effect "Don't you Americans have a term for a car like this?  Piece of SHIT?  Yes?".  Yes, Jens, that's the term.