Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
This morning we drove to Mt Cook for our flight to, and landing on, the great mountain. something that has been a dream for as long as I remember. It is an hours drive so left in plenty of time for our 10:30 lift off.
From Twizel we drive north up the western side of Lake Pukaki on State Highway 80. My confirmation booking for the flight states the company is on SH80 and after confirming the previous night and this morning, that the flight was on, we were excited about the trip. The scenery is quite incredible, with the orange poplars and yellow willows creating an awesome frame on the road and fabulously contrasting with the blue of the lake. As we travelled further north, Mt Cook came into view. Spectacular! The closer we got, the more my jaw dropped! We passed a helicopter company but it wasn't the one I had booked with,so on we went. Past the airport 15 minutes later and then into Mt Cook Village. Mmmmm! This isn't right. So I rang the company again and asked for their exact location. "You can't miss us, we are on SH80. There's only one way in and one way out" she said. Buggar! It must have been that company 15 minutes back. Back we go, past the airport, with Bill asking if they could be at the airport. I reckoned not, as neither the letter nor their person on the phone told me that. I'm sure you can see where this is going! Back to the other company who confirmed the company we wanted was situated at the airport!
Flight was due to leave in 5 minutes and we had no hope of getting there in time. I was so mad, I didn't even want to do the flight with them so rang and cancelled. The guy on the phone was confused as to why I was cancelling! No bloody clue these people! Tourism for NZ is in a bad place if we continue employing people who really don't give a dam!
Anyway, back to Twizel, taking in the most awesome sights along the way with many photo opportunities. We stopped at the Ohau/Power Station channel and out came the fishing lines.
We had been in touch with old friends (Gail & Murray) of my sister, from Auckland, who had been travelling in their van since January. They were in the same region and miraculously, we found ourselves in Twizel at the same time. We hadn't seen one another for at least 13 years and here we are telling them to meet us at the channel. Murray is a mad keen fisherman and soon there were hugs and greetings all round. But no fish! So we moved off to where their fellow campers were fishing at the dam. One errant fish finally found itself on the end of Bill's line, which made his day. Bill that is. Not the fish! Beautiful salmon.
Sun had gone down and time to get a great meal at the RSA. We had an awesome evening together with barely a breath being taken between conversation and eating/drinking.
A nightcap of Baileys and Drambuie (mixed) was nectar of the gods!
A fantastic afternoon and evening with lovely, lovely people more than made up for the now forgotten disappointment of the morning. Definitely that black cloud had a bright silver lining!
- comments
Sharon Starling Oh no!!! How disappointing for you re the Mt Cook flight!! Is it worth sending what you've written here to them, and see if you can get a refund? Gutted for you! Well done Bill on catching your salmon! Lovely that you could catch up with some old friends on the road and so pleased you had an awesome time with them to help make up for the morning's farce. Beautiful photos too! You write so well Sandra, very descriptive and enjoyable to read xx
Sharon Starling Stunning view!
Sharon Starling Just beautiful.
Sharon Starling Awesome photo! Love it!
Sharon Starling Gorgeous autumn colours!
Sharon Starling Well done Bill!