Tim and I met a group of friendly Aussie women at the hut (distant center of this pic). They had hiked the Milford Track during a flash flood, and they related an exciting tale of their narrow escape. (Apparently they were flown out by helicopter, and someone in another party was carried downstream by a swollen river.)

At first I wondered how we would tell the difference between Kiwis and Aussies, knowing that we would probably cause offence if we guessed wrong. If these Aussies were typical, I need not wonder any more - the Aussies were quite extroverted and less subdued than the typical Kiwi. Yup, they were kinda like Americans. But nice ones. :^) We very much enjoyed their company at the hut that night.