Cruising the fjords

NZ Day 5  April 8 2011


First stop after leaving Queenstown is Mossburn, the deer capital of New Zealand. Saw our first wind farm on the far hills. Had bus driver’s tea and bikkies in the park.

Magnificent stag statue.   

Lunch at Te Anau (pronounced tee arnow). Had indifferent pies, but the toilets were great, the best $1.00 worth of relief. The ceilings were high and there was a hand dryer by each sink... at last someone figured that one out. The ‘concierge’ was a smiling charming bloke who told me they had opened on Dec 20 2010. For $5.00 you can shower. Many campers use it.


On our way to Milford Sound, we drove through Eglington Valley which is ablaze with Russell Lupins in Dec/Jan. None left now. Mirror Lake did not produce marvellous reflections; too many ripples (have seen better up Mt Baker in Washington State). Had to pass through the Homer Tunnel. It’s one lane only. The deal is that the lights change every 15 minutes. We copped the red both ways but waited only five minutes going in.

We’re now well into the mountains, and a spectacular sight they are. It’s almost too much beauty and grandeur, and the photos don’t do the scenery justice.

Yet another maginificent pit stop!   

I’ve learned a new expression, ‘tree avalanche’ whereby trees become heavy with ice and water, expand and shear off, sending rocks down the mountain, leaving a huge gash on the mountainside.

Milford Sound is a misnomer, it is more accurately a fjord, i.e. developed by glacial erosion rather than river drowning. There is more of the rock under the water than above it. We board the Milford Monarch for a spectacular 2 hour cruise. Notice I’m using the word ‘spectacular’ a lot. The eyes hurt with all the fabulous scenery.



Waterfall into the Sound.   



Interesting shadow, Samurai on horse!


I thought I would be sleeping on the 2 hour bus journey back to Te Anau but I started reading my kindle (a true crime book by Ann Rule) which kept me awake.

Dinner at the hotel was splendid, ginger crab salad, lamb medium/rare which melted in my mouth and espresso crème brulee... a five star meal. Hotel is Te Anau Hotel.