Woke up well before 6am today (again), but this time, maybe it was due in part to “Disneyland Syndrome” (this is maria’s long-time, self-coined term for when there’s something exciting to do the next day and you just can’t sleep, in anticipation for the fun — kinda like a kid the day before he goes to Disneyland — the idea was so good that they made a commercial about it, too).
Anyway, we got up, made breakfast, secured Beethoven’s cabin for take-off, dumped the tanks (no incidents, this time!), and headed back to the airport for our day of flightseeing (and, boat-touring). There, we met Frank, the owner, and Nick, our pilot. He was very laid-back and friendly, which helped calm our nerves as the 6 tourists and one pilot crawled (literally!) into the little cessna plane. Within a few moments, we were strapped in, safety-informed, and speeding down the runway and up into the air. Take-off was smooth and exciting. The flight was only 40 minutes, but it held for us a lifetime of breathtaking views. We flew past Mt. Aspiring (Tititea) – at 9,950 feet, it’s NZ’s highest mountain outside of the Mt. Cook region. The area surrounding it is considered the Southern Alps and all the mountains are snow-capped, with “powdered-sugar-like” snow throughout the mid-section, and just below the tree-line, lush evergreens stacked down to the base. Nick, our pilot, also pointed out several glaciers, glacial lakes, and popular heli-skiing spots (it was cool to hear this through the big airplane headphones, as well as being able to catch some occasional “air chatter” from other pilots in the area). Nick also gave us plenty of quiet time to contemplate the beauty surrounding us, soundtracked by the whirring of the engine as we gently glided toward Milford Sound, passing one outstandingly scenic view after another.
Just when we thought it couldn’t possibly get any more beautiful (or cool!), Nick guided the plane into a confident landing on a small air strip, which, but for one other plane, we had completely to ourselves.
The group of six (4 americans touring with 2 australians), was then led by foot into a lush rainforest which surrounded a tidal basin at the base of Milford Sound, in Fjordland National Park. Nick gave us info along the way, here too, and it’s interesting to read info on-line about it, as well. The rainforest trek led us to jaw-dropping views of Mitre Peak, the most-photographed peak in New Zealand (not sure how they quantify that, but I know *I* took almost 700 pictures, AND a few brief videos!) We then boarded a boat for a heady cruise around the sound. We saw the steep cliffs up-close, several seals basking in the sun, a half pod of dolphins, and some of the most spectacular scenery ever. Like seriously, ever. After the boat tour, we walked back through the rainforest, to the airstrip, boarded the plane and enjoyed a very scenic flight back to “home”. Nick took us on a more southerly route so we could see some different scenery. The mountains we passed were sheer rock, glistening, shiny black at severe angles, almost perpendicular to the ground. Their tops covered in a coating of pure white, only accentuated by the occasional deep crack, exposing bright turquoise hues within. Again, Nick pointed out notable peaks, glaciers, valleys, rivers, pools, heli-skiing spots, and shared a bit of geologic and explorers’ history. He also showed us the areas where much of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed.
The pictures don’t do the scenery justice, by any means. Regardless, we do plan to post a few in the coming days!
I’d be more descriptive, but it’s after 8pm, and again, falling asleep at the laptop… might add more later (it was a FULL day!)