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Published: November 10th 2008
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We flew to Christchurch on Michelle's birthday; this earned her a large glass of sparkling wine from the flight attendant.
As soon as we landed we were amazed at the scenery. Next day, Sunday, we had a day trip and drive around the Banks Peninsula, which was incredible, certainly some of the best scenery we have seen in our lives. There were many coves with a pea green sea which we saw from high cliffs. Various sailing dinghies were racing below. We continued round to Akaroa, which was originally a French settlement and a French influence still shows. Akaroa is a lovely place and is well worth the trip from Christchurch.
Monday we set off for Dunedin and the scenery became more mundane. We stopped to see Moeraki Boulders, of which there were about 30 on the beach approximately 1 metre diameter and formed by some chemical process (which is beyond our comprehension) 60 million years ago. Further along the coast is a "See the Penguins Hideout" at Shag Point. We had already learned that they only come in just before dark. However, we managed to see 2 by 4.00 o'clock; we were happy with that especially as we
had been watching sea lions and elephant seals.
And so we arrived at Dunedin looking forward to seeing Royal Northern Albatrosses, the largest in the world and only to be found here. Tuesday morning we took the 1 hour drive to the Otago Peninsula. Unfortunately, it was breeding time and so the viewing at the sanctuary was closed, so we must see them from the cliff. Unfortunately again after 1 hour of waiting on the cold and windy cape we called it a day as none had been seen that day.
Note:
Michelle, at various times, has wanted to bring home:- a kangaroo, a kookaburra, a koala bear, a tasmanian devil, a lamb and a penguin. Thank goodness we never saw an albatross.
Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The gateway to it is Te Anau. When we arrived there it was cold, windy and raining, however, we were disappointed to find that the only pass to Milford Sound was closed because of snow. We woke next morning and it had re-opened, but carrying snow chains was obligatory. Now 8 pounds worse off after hiring snow chains we arrived at Milford
Sound having travelled through Swiss-like mountains and at times through blizzards. The boat through the Sound (really a fiord) was, despite the fact that it snowed for a lot of the trip, incredible and beyond description. Just WOW. The highlight of our trip so far and we did see some more penguins.
We now realised that we had made a mistake coming to South Island for only 10 days, even 14 days is not enough. Going to see the glaciers and the whale watching is compulsory (we could not face Linda and Steve again if we came to New Zealand and did not see whales). We had to decide what to leave out, so drove straight through Queenstown and other places stopping only to watch a bungy jump then on to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, this took 9 hours.
We booked our helicopter flight for the next day, Friday, to fly over both glaciers and to stop on top of the Fox Glacier. The cost was 160 pounds for the 2 of us. Terry asked for a senior citizen's discount and the man said, "OK, 20 bucks off for each of you!" Michelle was astounded, especially
Milford Sound
Michelle photographing a waterfall as the flight was her 45th birthday present, however, we took the discount. Once again, something was indescribable. Milford Sound had the scenery but the helicopter flight was, as the Kiwis say, awesome. Possibly the thrill of our lives, just us and the pilot who took us into small chasms to see waterfalls etc.
Now we must rush north as we have only 3 days left to get to Kaikoura and watch the whales.
The whales! We go on the next trip at 9.30 am Sunday. When we arrived at the whaling centre there was a "Strong seasickness warning" and we went out in a heavy swell. After about 20 mins we found a Sperm Whale which eventually dived. We then found another similar and being similar soon became fed up of us and similarly dived. The captain then decided we had seen enough and we went off looking other "sea life". The cost of the trip was 50 pounds each (including yet another senior citizens discount for both of us) and this worked out at 25 pounds a whale! We did though see lots of Dusky Dolphins 'the acrobats of the sea', who put on a show
Milford Sound
At the front of the boat for us. We also saw 3 Wandering Albatrosses, who would not put on a show and sat on the water looking at us as though we were stupid. We then headed back much to the relief of the many people who were using the many sick bags.
On our drive back to Christchurch for the flight to North Island we went through some beautiful hills. For, what seems, the hundredth time one of us said as we came round a bend "Look! Another fantastic view". There were hills covered in yellow gorse with snow capped mountains behind. New Zealand, South Island, has at its most mundane, scenery to match anything in Britain, and at its best, to match anything in the world. In particular, Milford Sound has the most breath-taking scenery either of us has ever seen other than the Grand Canyon.
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