Nine Days Down South

Everyone said you really have to see the South Island to discover the other side of New Zealand.  Yes, it rang true for us during our visit to Dunedin, Queenstown, and Milford Sound.  It was different and uniquely charming in its own Kiwi way.  Be aware--we saw only the lower half of the Southland during a spell of gorgeous, sunny, hot summertime weather (our rain gear stayed packed in our bags).  The Kiwis told us they live for these special days as the weather is "not always this perfect".

Travelling always involves hassles.  Yes, we had our moments although they were few and far between while on the South Island.  Flying from New Plymouth was a special treat.  No passports, identification or electronic detection of any kind were needed to be shown at the domestic airports.  There was little or no screening of our bags and no added extra fees.  My carry-on bag was too heavy but "no worries".   We shifted around a few things to another carry-on bag.  Our airline flights were on time  and we were happy customers.   The American airline companies could learn from Air New Zealand (just voted  "Best Airline" in customer service).

Our rental car (from Dunedin) was a spiffy newer Ford Escort (keeping up with the Hovdas from the USA).  Unfortunately, it meant more confusion as we were back to turning on the wipers every time we wanted to signal for turning.  Driving around the scenic southern route was easy with little traffic.  Gabe and I did not taken any motion sickness pills.   These scenic roads were relatively straight by Kiwi standards. On previous driving trips, one or more of us (Alec included) had been stricken with motion sickness.

Towns were few and far between so we had to make sure we have plenty of gas.  Please take heed and get gas, especially in Te Anau.  They meant it when they warned everyone to fill up the tank. Al  neglected to stop for petrol in Te Anau (last stop) before heading up thru the mountain passes and then Homer tunnel.  Good thing that those smaller cars have good gas mileage so Al didn't have to sweat the 200 km back. 

We have been advised to visit Milford Sound as a World Heritage Site and one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" per Rudyard Kipling.  We were not dissappointed.  Our driving route of narrow highways, one-lane bridges, and spectacular Fiordland mountain passes into Milford Sound was breathtakingly beautiful.   Our highlight (along with 30 tourists) was an on overnight cruise on The Milford Mariner.  During our boat trip in the Milford Sound, we had plenty of time for chatting with fellow passengers from around the world or kayaking in a quiet bay.  Gabe swam briefly in the cold glacier water while we watched from the deck.  Later in the evening, New Zealand fur seals entertained us as they caught fish around the boat.   Here were a few pictures from the Milford Mariner.