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Lower levels: Navigation: |
Our pilot, Ian, a Duncan Goodhew lookalike, made sure we got a good look at the numerous waterfalls that were in full flow due to the torrential rains. Flying under low clouds which occasionally threatened to cut off our path through the mountain passes, we circled Queenstown, flew low over the saddle of two great peaks and followed the Tasman coast to the wide sea opening of one of the south islands best known attractions.
Landing 'Hong Kong Style' (i.e. flying at a mountain then turning at the last moment onto the landing strip), we arrive in Milford Sound a hundred metres from the harbour. From here we board a red line cruise ship and steam out into the tranquil waters. Our captain provides a passing commentary - describing how the 'Sound' was formed. Glacial movements over thousands of years have carved a valley which is over a thousand metres deep below the hull. Its incredibly quiet on the water - bar the low pulse of the engines and the occasional seagull in the distance. From the air, the mountains had looked imposing, but the waterway seemed far smaller than their purported 22km. Now we are at sea level, the size and perspective are reversed - the water seems to go on for ever while the mountains look more like, well, big hills. Speaking to the Skipper, we discover that the Cunard liner QE2 has recently visited and naturally dwarfed every other ship in the sound. However, when viewed against the mountains this monster of a ship looked more like a small speedboat, with two outside pools and a helicopter pad...
Back on board our little Cessna, we fly back to Queenstown in time for sundowners by the lake - watching the tourist coaches load up for the five hour return as we take off. This truly is Flashpacking.
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