One of the luxuries of having a campervan is flexibility. Some people plan where they’re going to settle each night, but most just head in a certain direction and see what happens. If there’s a convenient campsite – great, if not – there are plenty of creative alternatives. A few backpackers I met slept at a gas station because it was closed when they got there one night. On our way from Queenstown to Milford Sound, we decided to park Moses at Henry’s Creek and finish the drive in the morning. Although it had a “Blair Witch” creepy forest where people are never seen again feel, it was free and easy.

Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s biggest attractions. Tanya and I had neither the time nor motivation to do the 5-day Milford Track, so we opted for a boat ride. According to the captain, we got the best of both worlds: light rain turned the waterfalls on, but there was enough sun for clear views. We cruised alongside the bordering mountains, often times close enough to feel mist from the cascading water. I blinked, however, and the steep rock faces disappeared. We had come to the end of the inlet, where it opens into the vast Tasman Sea.

We went from coast to coast that evening, all the way from Milford to Dunedin. Though the drives are long, there are plenty of good distractions along the way. We passed a bra fence, with an amazing collection of colors and sizes, and a prominent sign reading “Bras only please!” Every few minutes we try to swerve around flattened possums and, after seeing a restaurant called “Pete’s Possum Pies,” we joke that Pete will soon be out to collect the road-kill for dinner. Every sharp corner creates a symphony of clinking and clanking in the back of the van. After especially rough turns, Tanya and I exchange a worried look before checking if any of the cabinets or drawers have burst open. As if that sound isn't startling enough, Tanya’s singing usually catches me off guard. But when neither those things nor the spectacular scenery are keeping me awake, I take advantage of the abundance of sheep and sometimes get to 300 before I’m out.

Before touring Dunedin, we made a visit to the Otago Peninsula – a playground for penguins, seals, albatross, and other marine life. Did you know that it’s the world’s only mainland albatross colony? (Papa – you don’t count.) While it was fun to visit, our next stop left a better taste in our mouths. Cadbury World was like Willy Wonka’s factory, but instead of Oompa Loompas there were fat old ladies in hairnets. We learned about the famous chocolate company and their famous recipe, and of course got to sample some of the delicious products. Tanya had to hold me back from diving into the (world’s only) chocolate waterfall.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 13th, 2006 at 9:21 pm in XVI. NZ. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.