A recent discussion, with both a former coastguard and an army parachutist (who jumps regularly for recreation), had me thinking about the sky and flying through it. If I could chose a spot to fly over in the near future it would have to be Milford Sound in New Zealand’s South Island. Another geologist friend of mine did just this for scientific reasons; researching crystal formations involved being dropped on the top of these very peeks via helicopter for a few hours of research.
When I visited I stayed overnight on one of the Sound’s few charter vessels, went kayaking on the still water and sat on the deck afterwards. This image is not far removed from the view that we watched as the day faded into night; and must have been taken around the same time of year – September, early spring. It was avalanche season and the four hour bus trip from Te Anou crescendo-ed when we emerged through that final long tunnel on the road and began making our ascent down to the water’s edge. I think next time I’d like to attempt the Milford Track; a four day hike through the Fiordland National Park. Another friend has done it; after lengthy preparations over four months.
The visual memory of that fiord between buttressing outcrops and peeks is enduring in the mind’s eye, as is the peace of the reflected sky when the Sound is still.