Milford Sound

Saturday, April 29 we were off early (7am) to Fiordland National Park (4 hours from Queenstown). We decided that we did not want to miss out on Milford Sound and so booked a coach-cruise full day tour. And yes it was expensive (179/person) but so, so, so worth it. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful the whole day was...but I'll try to do my best.

SO set off from QUeenstown and watched the sun rise over the mountains as we drove to TeAnau for our tea/coffee break. The weather was so clear as we left Queenstown and we both felt so lucky b/c it had been raining and overcast and it is apparently hard to get a clear day at Milford. We were a little discouraged once we got to TeAnau b/c the skies were overcast but our bus driver (who was hilarious and so enthusiastic) promised us that the clouds would break as soon as we got to the National Park....and they did..just as the mountains were coming closer the clouds broke open...can't explain it...but so perfect.

We were in a race with the 40 or so other coach buses cruising into the park for the day. Our driver always wanted to be first in line so we wouldn't be too crowded at the photo stops and we could get out on the water first thing to beat the crowds. It was actually kinda fun as he would honk his horn as we passed the other coaches.

We got down to the wharf around 12:20 and were out on our cruise at 12:45 for about 2 hours. And here is where I really can't expain how beautiful the whole cruise was....the mountains just surrounding us jetting about 1200 m straight up. And we could look back at the snow capped mountains as we left the docks. About 30 minutes into the cruise the driver told us that there were dolphins up ahead and so we got right up close to them as they swam along with the boat....and then we saw 3 seals bathing on the rocks in the sun....overwhelming! I will post pictures up and just say that if anyone has the opportunity to go to Milford Sound on a sunny day...DO IT!!!

It is Monday morning and we are off for our 8 day tour of the West Coast....with the Flying Kiwi. Hope all is well with everyone and thanks for the continuous comments...we get very excited when we see people have written to us!!! YAH!