Invercargil & Bluff

After three peaceful days in the Catlins, it was time to move on. We dove out to Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand. I came really close to running out of gas, but I made it as always. Our main objective was to go to Bluff, the very southern point of New Zealand, where the highway ends at a sign post that points the distance to cities around the world. I have to say, Bluff is a hole. It's run down and industrial and the only thing it has is that damn sign. Bluff is currently the butt of every joke that Bart and I tell. We also had a funny exchange at the gas station there.

ATTENDENT: Hello
ME: Hi, fill er up please.
ATTENDENT: Sure. Where are you guys from.
ME: America and Holland.
BART: Are you from Bluff?
ATTENDENT: No.
BART: Where are you from then?
ATTENDENT: I'm from the UK.
BART: Why are you in Bluff then?
ATTENDENT: I've been a lot of places.
BART: I'm sure you have, but why are you in Bluff.
ATTENDENT: I like New Zealand.
BART: I do too. Why Bluff though?
ATTENDENT: Where are you from?
BART: Holland.
ATTENDENT: Where in Holland?
BART: [some town in Holland]
ATTENDENT: Why are you from [some town in Holland]?
BART: That's where my family is from. Why Bluff?
ATTENDENT: I like New Zealand a lot, I've been here for over 30 years.
BART: BUT WHY BLUFF!?
ME: How much for the gas?

You probably had to be there. I found it quite funny. Imnvercargill was quite nice though, nothing out of the ordinary, but a pleasant city. We parked next to a park and spent the night. Then we headed to Fiordland.


PHOTO: Yours truely and the famous sign.