The Beauty & the Beast

It's summertime "Down under", what usually should be one of the beneficial sides of the antipodes: the winter stays up North. But in "Middle Earth" such rules obviously do not apply, especially the more you get down South, deep into the Fiordland to encounter the so-called most beautiful hike in the world - the Milford Track.

Katz, while taking his notes next to a candle in the "Sandfly Hut", his fuming wet clothes aside the log fire, already had made his encounter with the changeable weather conditions halfway - or three days - along Milford Track: 52 km of spectacular views from the northern end of the "Cold Lake" Te Anau to the Milford Sound. And back! Those days the stunning Milford Sound was not yet accessible by car.

Otago Daily Times, January 3, 2013: Heavy Rain closes three major tourist routes in the South Island; 150 trampers on Milford Track out safely after "extreme storm".

Indeed, I thought I am already on my way down to the Fiordland. However, the beauty turned into a beast. Snowfall, heavy rain and a closed Highway SH94, ending right at the source of the Milford Sound changed necessarily my plans. "No worries", as the locals always reply. On a road trip one develops that kind of patience, flexibility and curiosity - to make the best of it.

This attitude rewarded me so far generously. From the amazing Kauri trees high up in the North, the fascinating wildlife along my first 2000 km coast line road trip, down South to the Moeraki Boulders - one of the 101 Must-Do's for Kiwis.

And - off course - it opens the path for encounters with interesting people. For some it might be the rain that keeps them longer at a place. For my part, it's the time you take to turn a short sightseeing walk along historic buildings into an encounter with inspired persons. The rain came, and passed; and the time went on, like my conversation with Jackie Margaret in her Visual Arts Loft, Harbour Street, Oamaru, about art, astrology and the never-ending story about passion & patience.