Milford Sound is not actually a sound. A sound is land area formed by a river and a fiord is a land area formed by a glacier. Technically, it should be called Milford Fiord, but when the first English men sailed the seas and found Milford they didn't know. Milford Fiord just doesn't have the same ring.
We got on the boat at 4:30. We started with an introduction and then they fed us a bowl of soup. It gets dark around 6:30 here now. By the time we were done eating we were driving into a bay. We anchored and began our water activities. Those who wanted to could kayak around the bay while the others took a small motor boat around the area. The three of us had never kayaked but they said we'd be fine. Kathy choose the motor boat. We had about an hour and a half to putts around. I would paddle for a bit and then just sit and enjoy the amazing land surrounding me. They said it rains 2 out of 3 days in Milford. Luckily it wasn't on us, but there were really low clouds that made it difficult to see. After our water activities we came inside and warmed up. We had dinner, pot roast, potatoes, veges and apple crisp. We continued to stay anchored for the rest of the night. We played a few games of scrabbled and called it a night. The next morning, we got up at 7:00 for breakfast and then continued cruising out to the Tasman Sea. It was pretty cool to be on the Tasman and look back onto land and see what the settlers saw when they were traveling the coast. Because of how the land is, you doesn't look like there is actually a passage way. Milford Sound was found accidentally. The sailors were looking for a land protection from the weather and when they actually drove the boat, they discovered a passage to land. We finished our cruise at about 9:30 and then drove about 2 hours to the closest town called Te Anau. Laura, David and I are staying here for 2 days while Miranda and her mom drive on the Doubtful Sound.
 |
| Our room |
 |
| Dolphins swimming by the boat |
 |
| Looking back to Milfold from the Tasman Sea |
 |
| When it rains Milford an have over 1000 waterfalls falling from the cliffs. |
 |
| Looking out to the Tasman Sea. |
Sunday after we just explored the town. Te Anau is located on a beautiful lake. The weather was the greatest so we had dinner and enjoyed our backpacker. We have a great backpacker with really friendly people. There is a huge kitchen, a lounge area to meet people and a movie room with couches. We watched movie and went to bed.
Monday (today) we decided to do a walk. We had to walk an hour along the river before we got to the beginning of the trail. From there the sign said 2 1/2- 3 1/2 hrs. We assumed it was a round trip. After walking for about an hour and a half in dense trees and moss, Laura and I decided we didn't really care to walk all the way to the end. David decided he wanted to see the swingbridge at the end. Laura and I turned around eventually made it home. We walked for 5 hours and are now exhausted. It was a very easy walk, but after the river walk, we were walking in wet, muddy paths without a change of scenery, it got a bit boring.
Tomorrow we planning on going to the glow worms caves. I'm pretty excited! Afterwards we're heading back home until Sunday. Easter Sunday here they have a huge food and wine festival and is suppose to be a pretty big deal. I'm looking forward to testing all the New Zealand wines made in the area. After Sunday we'll begin our week long road trip beginning on the west coast, onto the north coast and finishing down the east coast. I'm pretty excited to get to see most of the south island. We'll return on Sunday the 1st, go to school for 2 days and then fly home on the 4th. I honestly have no idea where the time has gone! Looking forward to see everyone in just 2 weeks :)
Can't wait to get the gang back together! SO jealous that you are traveling around! Enjoy it!
ReplyDelete