Village Squire, 1975-11, Page 23want to see the real New Zealand, too, there
is the Milford Track. This is probably the
most popular "participation" in the country.
The track leads for 25 miles from the head of
Lake Te Anau, over the McKinnon Pass to
Milford Sound. The area is quite untamed,
almost a fairyland of rain forest, tumbling
rivers and moutain sides streaming with
veil-like waterfalls.
A side trip takes you to the Sutherland Falls
which, at 1,700 feet, are among the longest
drops in the world. The walk takes six days
and has been done by 70 -year-
olds.
There is the luxury of hot meals, showers
and beds at every stop, too. It is called the
Most Wonderful Walk in the World, a claim
that is more than a boast.
Milford Sound itself is a place of haunting
beauty and is included in most tour
itineraries, even if the track isn't. The
symmetrical shape of Mitre Peak (5,560 feet),
which stands down the sound from the road,
features in much of New Zealand's
promotional material, but is none the worse
for that.
But more impressive is the boat ride down
the other side of the sound, which is supposed
to be capable of accommodating the Grand
Fleet. The boat is taken within touching
distance of the cliff, then you are told to look
up and down. The 1,000 -foot high face
plunges straight down the same distance.
A stop on the road to Milford should be
made at the Chasm. A rock has been split in
two by the force of water and you can stand
above that split, only about a foot wide, on a
catwalk and hear the water roar below. The
noise if earful.
One mustn't get the idea that New
Zealand's attractions are all on the Tieroic
scale. On the contrary, the glow worm caves
of Waitomo, the demonstrations of Maori life
and entertainment at Rotorua and the many
botanical gardens are there to fascinate those
who stay on the beaten path.
Rotorua also has the Agr.adcuie, which is
dedicated to the reason for New Zealand's
existence - farming. There trained rams are
displayed and canny sheepdogs put flocks of
beautifully groomed sheep through their
intricate paces.
Until the late Sixties the bars closed at 6
p.m., a situation that led to the Six O'clock
Swill as men downed as many beers as they
could before the fateful hour. There was also
much illegal After Hours drinking, too.
Then, after much agitation and the
example set by one or two Australian states,
drinking was extended to 10 p.m. and as a
result a lively night life was developed.
Many hotels now have floor shows.
Restaurants have also opened up and the
native wines are worth sampling. Cuisine
may not be in the top Canadian city class, but
the food itself is better. It still tastes like food.
Last and probably most important, once
you have paid for the air fare you will be
surprised by the low prices - $3 will buy a
great meal, $5 will buy a banqujet. And
remember, it's a winter vacation alternative
to Florida. The shrubs and flowers have
already begun to bloom, and high summer is
December and January.
Christmas
Bazaar
( lnr,it so St. ( sited Church
t 'LIN ION
Saturday, Nov. 22
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
•Candy
•Sewing
•Baking
•Produce and Preserves
•Used Books and Toys
•Christmas Shoppe featuring:
-tree skirts
-dired flower arrangements
-Christmas arrangements
-homemade mincemeat
-inexpensive gifts for children to buy
•Plates and Coffee Mugs featut ing the
church for the 50th Anniversary.
•Tea, sandwiches and fancy squares
•Church cookbooks
•Special feature of gingerbread
houses
•Silent auction on a child's wall hanging
Listowel
Travel Bureau
PHONE 291-4100
Call us for all your holiday
or business travel.
No service charge!
LISTOWEL TRAVEL BUREAU
163 Moln St, W., ttstowel, Ontario
VILLAGE SQUIRE/NOVEMBER 1975, 21