One of the greater experiences in New Zealand are without doubt the sandflies. These tiny creatures are good company on most of the tracks on the south island. You’ll love them. They love to suck you bloodless and to make them more successful they are equipped with a whole arsenal of useful detectors. They sense carbondioxide, recognize movements and go for colors as well. And everyone has got a whole bunch of friends. No chance to escape! - Funny movements and sudden acts of masochistic self-beating are the results. Coming from the “Old World” that reminded me of something. Far down south in a part of Germany known as Bavaria there is a dance called the “Schuhplattler” (literally: the shoepatter or shoeflatter, it’s not so easy to grab the real meaning. :-)). It moust have been invented by an Austrian or a Bavarian visiting the Fiordlands I guess.
Have a look for yourself.

Researching on this matter I came across this. Just imagine it as a moving picture…

Ok, ok! Maybe there’s a bit of a delay now Blame it on the Jetlag! We were thrown back home about a week ago now and the first of our friends are already jealous of our tan. I tell you, the last three weeks just zoomed past and before we had the chance to say: “Wait, we didn’t try TimTams!” we were already of to OZ. But one after the other…
On our way south we made a sidetrip to Aoraki or Mt. Cook. He was a bit grumpy that day as he threw gale Froce winds and rain towards us from every direction and we could hear the occasional avalanche roaring down the steep flanks.
Arriving in Te Anau we were keen to do the Milford Track. We were happy enough to have booked 5 months ahead! The weather was fine and so … we missed our boat. One minute! Maren was already on the boat and I just had to park the van. It didn’t help, the captain kicked her off the boat and we had to wait for the next ride which arrived three hours later. Hmmm… as far as I remember the only bad tempered unfriendly Kiwi I met.
But no worries, the first steps on the track drew our attention to different things. People say the Milford Track is the most beautiful walking track in the world. Sounds a bit exaggerated we thought.
Four days later we were not so sure anymore. Winding through impressive steep mountains the narrow glacial valleys are covered in unique forest. The most magical and ancient looking forest we have ever seen. If it wasn’t for the other trampers and modern huts you could well picture yourself in Jules Vernes “Journey to the center of the earth” or Doyles “the lost world”. The climb to Mackinnon Pass provided stunning views in brilliantly clear sunshine. Who would have thought… most times it rains somewhere in the Fiordlands. Passing unbelievable mirrorring lakes, spooky swamps and roaring waterfalls - among them the highes of NZ, 580m high Sutherland Falls - we reached Sandfly Point on our fourth day. And well, it could really be the most beautiful walk in the world. Definitly makes it to the top ten! - Just that we didn’t find any proof of the famous rainy Fiordland weather as we had a week of sunshine again.