Milford
Woman versus Kea
01.01.2019
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Xmas/ New Year 2018
on Sallyj66's travel map.
There was much partying and celebrations for the New Year over night in the camp ground. It was all good spirited but did mean that my sleep was severely lacking come morning. We did catch some fireworks through the roof window of the camper at midnight, a perfect night for it.
The first morning of the year was spectacular. It has become a new ritual for us to get on the road early, then have breakfast at a picturesque spot along the way. There was scarcely any traffic (so pleasant and relaxing) but we were following a tour bus, that therefore stopped at the same places that we wanted to. As it turns out was a bus load of dutch people so that was nice to chat and connect.
As we drove towards Milford the weather became progressively more cloudy and grey. The beautiful mirror lakes (where some very clever clogs has put the sign upside down to reflect right way up in the reflection) were lovely but I think a crystal clear day would be stunning. Stopped for breakfast at the top of the lookout point, the mountains are so dramatic.
I am a conservationist, but Keas test that stance. We stopped at a scenic spot behind a bus of asian tourists, the driver standing alongside with a broom in his hand-slightly strange but never mind. As soon as we pulled up a kea flew from the bus and landed on our bikes and promptly started pecking with his hook like beak at the cover. I grabbed the broom from the driver and chased it off. They are the smartest of birds, and obviously this one had been round the tracks a few times. He nonchalantly hopped onto the roof out of my reach. Sal was aghast and told me to get in super quick as we were taking off, which we did at a rate of knots-camera clicking from the tourists! We had the opportunity to sight see at another spot, but on seeing another kea decided that it wasn’t worth the risk.
Going through Homer Tunnel was an exercise in me managing my anxieties which I obviously succeeded in. The view on the other side is so breath taking. On the way back we stopped at Marian Camp where the road workers had set up camp during the building of this tunnel. Such tough and resilient people.
Finding a park at Milford is not easy but they have a system that seems to squash huge number of visitors in. The constant noise from the helicopters taking sight seers around is intrusive. We visited the grave of Donald Sutherland (he and his wife were the first European settlers here) and I am sure he would be mortified to see the tranquility and seclusion of his piece of paradise so disturbed.
We had contemplated a cruise but the rain had come in and we didnt really relish the idea of being herded onto a boat with so many other people. So we climbed to the look out, walked around the foreshore, we had wanted to go to the falls but that walk isn’t allowed anymore because of the fears of rock falls. Pity. By 1.30 we had seen enough and made our way back. In Milford we were wearing scarves and trousers and jackets, but the closer we got to Te Anau the hotter it became and we needed to shed layers again. Te Anau was just heaving it was so busy. We went to the supermarket to restock, got more fuel then drove onto the shores of Lake Wakatipu again. A very long day, 8 hours driving for Sal, but to visit such a special place was fantastic.
Funnily enough where we are parked is roughly parallel with Milford, but has taken us many hours of driving south to get back here. Tomorrow we make our way to Wanaka and then via the Haast Pass onto the West Coast.
Posted by Sallyj66 23:41 Archived in New Zealand Comments (0)