Before travelling to New Zealand, I'd set out on doing my research. It seems, when you start asking, that as many people who turn out to vote in the UK have been to New Zealand. And what surprises me most is the real breadth and variety of those who've made the voyage (more than can be said for the general election ;)) Parents, aunties, cousins, friends - even granny's touched down here. And every single one has but good words to say. We took on a lot of advice when planning our trips, and perhaps one of the best morsels was to take an overnight trip on Doubtful Sound.
So here I am, in true tranquility. Anchored in the dark night surrounded by towering rainforest hills, deep brown waters, and the sound of occasional birdsong. The Maori believe these impressive fiords were carved out with a canoe, while the historians among us tell us that the glaciers hacked out the way for the sea water. Either way, something unique has formed here - a delicate eco-system in such a fine balance that the smallest of foreign influence could throw a kilter.
We have spent the day exploring this magnificence on a picturesque sailboat. I'd love to draw parallels to James Cook's first venture here in the eighteenth century, but so far we've enjoyed a leisurely kayak, a refreshing baltic swim, a well deserved hot shower and an indulgent three course dinner. Something tells me those first explorers had a somewhat tougher time! I, for one, would have been petrified venturing through this hidden landscape - ignorant to what was lurking in the forest or the deep. Turns out i needn't have worried about tigers on the prowl since New Zealand has no indigenous mammals at all. In fact, the biggest creature we've encountered today is a school dolphins darting alongside the bow.
Waking up the next morning to the spluttering of the engine at 6.30am really didn't feel so bad in such a fantastic setting. It's certainly the most picturesque cup of tea i've ever experienced (though it's no northern brew. pah.). Away from all the clangs and demands of the 21st century, the captain casually flicked off the engines for a moment of calm. Nothing but birdsong and trickling waterfalls. If i'd woken up in a nature documentary, i would have been none the wiser. No HD needed here!
Sailing back into West Arm harbour we had the smug feeling of being truly spoilt by nature. Nowhere else I have been in the world has been so well preserved from outside influence and human meddling. What a privilege! And long may it continue.