10000 Waterfalls and Stuffy Head

I went to Milford Sound the other day because everyone on the South Island said that it was the most gorgeous place in New Zealand. In the Fjordlands, it gets 7m of rain per year. SEVEN METERS! It also is chock full of wildlife. I booked a nature cruise for 10 am, but when I showed up the wind was blowing at gale force along with some rather drenching rain so the cruise was canceled and I was offered a spot on the 11:30 buffet cruise for no extra charge. When that one was also canceled I still got a free buffet which included mussels, chicken, fish, ice cream, and more vegetables than I have eaten in the last month. I stocked up, camel style, and maybe nicked a couple butter satchets in the process. The best part was that as I drove out of the valley, the sheer cliffs on either side were absolutely covered with waterfalls. There were a few when I drove in the day before, but this looked like the mountains were crying or something. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, no shade of a lie.

After Milford Sound I headed to Queenstown where I heard it might not be raining, stopping to pick up two rather damp Ukrainian-Kiwi hikers in the process. They were so grateful they bought me a tank of fuel- yeay karma!

I didn't really like Queenstown, as it mostly reminded me of Banff on steroids and adrenalaine so I only hung around long enough to have the best hamburger I have ever eaten in my life and to get a boost from a helpful police officer after I left my lights on in the car. Dumbass.

I am currently in Haast, on the west coast and feel like absolute crap. I was going to check out some glaciers today but I can no longer breathe through my nose and my throat feels like sandpaper, so I am not sure how motivated I will be. I am sorely tempted to get a proper hotel room with a bath tonight but I really can't afford it so we'll see. Lets hope it's not swine flu! :P

-A.

PS: For those of you who might be worried that is actually swine flu, there have been no reported cases on the South Island so I shall endure