When the great English explorer and navigator, James Cook sailed into the beauty of a tranquil bay at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island in 1770, his description of the place suggested he'd reached Paradise. Shortly after dropping anchor in the calm, clear water of the small bay, his ship was surrounded by curious dolphins and penguins. His crew feasted on a staggering variety of fish that abounded there. Cook revisited this magic retreat five times until his last visit in 1777. Astonishing as it may seem, Ship Cove is the same today. It is part of a network of drowned valleys containing 4000km of sounds, islands and peninsulas.

The Marlborough Sounds continue to weave magic on the modern day visitor, with the sheer beauty of its steep, wooded hills and small quiet bays. It's a sparsely populated area with many of the small settlements and isolated houses only accessible by boat. This truly is an unspoiled destination waiting to be discovered by the overseas tourist.

It's a clear, sunny day with the odd cloud standing out with digital clarity against the deep blue only seen in skies this far south. I amble along the main street of Picton, the main port in the area. The salty tang in the air mingles with the freshness of the air itself. It makes me feel alive and content. This little town has a population of four thousand, and lies at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. It was created by European sealers in the 1840's, and is the terminus for the South Island's main railway and road systems. It is also the port for the inter island ferry. (It's a three hour voyage across Cook Strait to the North Island and the capital, Wellington). I watch the Kaitaki, the largest of the three ships currently on the inter island service, as its white bulk glides up to the terminal. I don't stop to see the 600 cars and 1600 passengers disembark. I prefer to remain in the moment and to savour the special atmosphere this part of New Zealand offers. Most of the traffic from the ship will head south, without lingering, to explore the world famous scenic attractions the South Island has to offer. I can't understand why the Marlborough Sounds, are not part of this tourist circuit. It might be something to do with New Zealanders being spoilt with the number of magic places they can visit.

I hop into a car and drive the short distance around to Kenepuru Sound. The road along the finger of land separating it from Queen Charlotte Sound, offers a series of lookouts. I look across the sparkling water to the densely wooded peninsula that separates me from Pelorus Sound, the third waterway in the Marlborough Sounds.

Fur seals are common in this network of bays, and it's also possible to see magnificent orca whales. Here in these beautiful stretches of water, pods of dusky, bottlenose and occasionally, the rare Hectors dolphins accompany the boats that use the sounds for recreation. Groupings can consist of as many as five hundred. To be in the company of these friendly mammals is to experience one of the true delights of being a human lucky enough to visit this truly amazing world.

Pelorus Jack was a dolphin who made this area his home. In 1904, he became the first "fish" in the world to be protected by law. This remarkable dolphin became famous as a "guide" in French Pass, an unpredictable stretch of water at the approaches to the Marlborough Sounds. He escorted ships through these treacherous waters from 1888 until he disappeared in April 1912. He was fond of steamers, and crews would wait for him to appear before sailing through the pass. His loss caused an outpouring of grief throughout New Zealand. I can remember as a kid, having a picture book with drawings of this little dolphin enjoying the attention swimmers gave him. I didn't believe the story was true. How could a "fish" do all those amazing things?

Only four hundred people live in Havelock, the other settlement in the Sounds. It's known as the Greenshell Mussel Capital of the world, but a better claim to fame is surely that Lord Rutherford, the man who helped split the atom, opening up the nuclear age, and Dr. William Pickering, the developer of the first American satellite, both went to school in this tiny fishing settlement. Wandering around its peaceful streets is like being on a film set. All that's needed is for the film crew to arrive and create some action.

It's not only the waterways that make this place so special. The award winning Queen Charlotte Track winds its way through 12km of beautiful native forest. It was created by European pioneers in the mid 1800's as a bridal track. It's named after the wife of King George the Third. I'm sure she would be humbled to know such a magical place carried her name. I walk slowly along the narrow walkway, peering into the thick bush either side of me. I pause to watch a sparkling drop of water make its way to the very tip of a superbly intricate frond of the native fern. I fail to understand why this exquisite symbol of nature's craftwork, is not on the New Zealand flag, as has been suggested. As I watch this delicate tiny marble of water plop onto a pebble below, I smile to myself. I'm a character in a kid's fantasy story. Nearby, I hear a light rustling and turn to see a cheeky little fantail flip open its beautiful tail in excitement. Further along the track, another bird found in the New Zealand forests, a friendly bush robin, hops close behind me. He pecks at my last footprint. I've disturbed a grub. I'm pleased to be able to help him find food so easily. He keeps me company and reminds me how special this place is.

I stop for dinner at the Portage Hotel. It has been located in a small bay in Kenepuru Sound for a hundred years. This is no swanky metropolitan style hotel, but it's comfortable and inviting and the roast lamb with mint sauce, was tasty and satisfying after a day in paradise. This hotel is accessible by road and motorists driving along it are rewarded with postcard perfect views around every corner. The view up the sound from the hotel is claimed to be one of the most memorable views from any hotel in the world. It has to be seen to be appreciated. The isolation, stillness and natural beauty, all work to touch my heart. I'm at peace with the world. I feel strangely free. There's also something wonderful about the quality of the light here. The colours are intense. Everything seems so vivid. Sounds seem to be amplified. The flutter of a bird in the near distance is as clear as the trickle of a baby stream a few feet away. The leaves in the trees, disturbed by a light breeze, have a crispness to their rustling. Everything seems to be, well, sort of unreal, sort of magical. I'm that character in a kid's fantasy story again, in a fantastic place, far, far away from my ordinary world.

D'Urville Island is at the very tip of the sounds. It is surrounded by a temperamental sea that has challenged sailors for centuries. It's still a challenge, and quite a contrast from the waters in the Sounds themselves, but it serves to keep boatmen on their guard. It rains a bit, and the summer temperatures hover around the mid 20's centigrade.. But this is what makes the place so verdant. This is why there are so many shades of green in the trees and so many beautiful shades of blue in the sea. .

It's a mystery why this magical place, only fifteen minutes by air from the capital of a country with such a highly developed tourist industry, should be so under commercialized. Man has been afraid to tamper here. Any effort to change the place would be doomed to failure as nature has created the perfect blend of forest, water and hills. To scar it with concrete hotels and apartment blocks would be a sacrilege. Nature has the final say here. There are no fast food outlets, billboards, traffic lights, or convoys of tour buses to taint this precious jewel in New Zealand's world famous scenic crown. The magic is still here as nature has designed it. The visitor can only marvel at the pristine beauty of a place that helps the soul soar and the mind rest and ponder.

Writer: Ceidrik Hewasrd

ceidrik@gmail.com

Most of these micronations existed as a result of attempts to escape from law, as a symbol of protest, as a supporter of a belief or passion, as a medium to promote a political or social agenda and also as a hobby. Are you interested to form your own country? You can learn from these nine interesting micronations to create your own.

1. SEALAND

The Sealand is located at the international waters, 6 nautical miles from the coast of Suffolk, England. The abandoned fort was a former naval base called the HM Fort Roughs. In 1967, Paddy Roy Bates and his pirate radio group took over the fort and established a monarchy nation called the Sealand.

At any point of time, the population of Sealand is less than 10 people. They have their own currency called the Sealand Dollar and also their own postal system. They also own a website which promotes their country as well as their merchandise items.

2. PRINCIPALITY OF HUTT RIVER

In 1970, the residents of a farm in Western Australia claimed that the said farm was an independent state as it has withdrawn itself from the Commonwealth and hence, not part of Australia.

As a result of this historical anomaly, the Principality of Hutt River has declared itself as a sovereign nation and is reported to have worldwide populations (cum supporters) totaling tens of thousands.

3. COPEMAN EMPIRE

Copeman Empire was established in 2003 by Nicholas Copeman who self declared himself as King Nicholas I. He basically built his empire from his caravan in Sheringham, Norfolk, UK after his friends challenged him to do so.

He became obsessed with the idea, eventually. In 2005, he published his life story in a book entitled "King Nicholas and the Copeman Empire". He even has his own stamps which of course, not usable for the normal postal service.

4. THE KINGDOM OF LOVELY

The Kingdom of Lovely was established in 2005 by Danny Wallace. It is actually an internet based country created from Danny's flat in London.

It was created as a response to the BBC TV series "How To Start Your Own Country", whereby Danny humorously claimed that the flat where one stays is actually a sovereign state. He eventually went all out, even to United Nations to establish his country, Lovely, as a sovereign nation.

5. THE KINGDOM OF TALOSSA

In 1979, Robert Ben Madison established a nation from his bedroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after his mother died. He used the word "Talosa" because it means "in the house" in Finnish.

It was reported that the Kingdom of Talossa currently has 90 over members with an invented language and culture of its own.

6. LADONIA

In 1980, a Swedish artist, Lars Vilks built his artistic sculptures in a reserved land of Kullaberg, Skane in Sweden. The local government of Skane took legal action against Vilks for placing his arts in the nature reserves.

In 1996, after years of defending his stance on his artwork, Vilks announced that Ladonia is seceded from Sweden as a sign of protest.

7. THE AERICAN EMPIRE

In 1987, Eric Lis and his friends created a fictional place called the Aerican Empire as part of a simulation of an imaginary intergalactic war. This nation has its own flag with smiley face on it as well as a chain of self declared public holidays.

After 10 years of its establishment, Eric Lis and his friends began to take bigger steps in order for their nation to be recognized by the world.

8. MARLBOROUGH

In 1993, an Australian farm owner declared his piece of farm as an independent nation called Marlborough. It was an attempt to escape from being evicted after being a bankrupt.

Ten days later, the farm owner and his supporters were forced to leave the farm and later, he was prosecuted.

9. NOVA ROMA

In 1998, Joe Bloch and William Bradford established Nova Roma with several thousands of members from all over the world.

The group has their own minted coins. They also engage in Roman themed lifestyle re-enactment.