Bluff is called a ‘technical’ stop to clear customs to re-enter New Zealand, before heading to Fiordland. Bluff is a small port town of less than 2000 people, with most of the employment provided by the aluminium smelter, the port, fishing, or ancillary services supporting all three industries.
The weather gods have smiled on us yet again – Bluff is clear and sunny, with only a little cloud, and a forecast top temperature of 18 degree Celsius. The tug boats are out to assist Le Soleal into the wharf, and it is intended to spend 5 hours in Bluff whilst the ship is refuelled and reprovisioned.
The idea of 5 hours off the ship for the passengers quickly turns into less than 3 hours as customs clearance isn’t given until 11:45, and the port authority decides that the passengers cannot walk through the secure port facility. Two mini-buses are scrounged, which seat 9 people each, with 180 people wanting to get off the ship. Shambolic is the only description – most of the passengers give up and stay on board for the day.
Bluff doesn’t have many attractions other than the Maritime Museum, which is just outside the port gates. The main street has the usual suspects – 3 pubs, 3 cafes, a bakery, a supermarket, petrol service station, and some basic accommodation. It doesn’t take longer than 25 minutes to walk down the main street; the high point are the murals painted on the old warehouse buildings.
Le Soleal heads out of Bluff roughly on schedule at 15:15, with the next destination Dusky Sound, which we expect to reach at about 6am tomorrow morning.
