Changed plans and Elton John foiled the same ...

04.02.20

We actually wanted to head towards Catlins today. But it has been pouring all night... and still is! It's not raining, it's pouring. During breakfast, we are very glad that we decided to take a day off yesterday and NOT drive to the Fjordlands. The only access road is blocked, and tourists have to endure there. In addition, a state of emergency has been declared for the Fjordlands... first no rain, now too much, too fast...

We are fleeing from the rain and heading towards the East Coast. There we can decide tomorrow how to proceed. If it stops raining, we will turn south, if not, we will go north.

You can't see much of the road (it's still raining). In the middle of nowhere, we buy delicious pies around noon and continue driving. Still in the rain, we reach Highway 1 on the East Coast. We have to go north a bit to reach our resting place for today. There is incredible traffic heading south! When we arrive at the campsite, we find that all powered sites are sold out. We are advised to drive a bit further north. A bit further south is Dunedin... and Elton John is performing there tonight. The whole South Island is on its way there... that explains a lot!!

In Oamaru, we find a campground and luckily grab a spot... it's still pouring... we treat ourselves to half an hour in the hot tub and wait for the weather to come...