Fiordland

We drove in convoy to Te Anau via the Glenorchy Cafe for another smoothie and a cake. Passing through NZ's most inland village and though the surprisingly un-mountainous northern Southland we made our way to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. After picking up essential supplies (pasta) we headed to our Hostel – Barnyard Backpackers and received an unwelcoming welcome from the owner. Anyway we got a decent nights kip and woke up early to go to Milford Sound. The drive was amazing. It started pretty ordinary but got pretty dramatic sharpish. Soon we were driving through deep deep valleys and passing avalanche runs with no stopping signs. Before long the road descended into a pitch black tunnel riddled with pot holes. It was 1300m long and not wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass. Not being straight it is kinda like driving blind! Popping out the other side – snow blind, quickly rectified with sunglasses. descending steeply we entered the settlement at the head of the fiord. We had booked onto the 1315 boat and we boarded with anticipation. It was amazing. i wasn't too bothered about a cruise to be honest and if I wasn't with R+R then I may not have bothered but I'm really glad I did, even if it was just for viewing Mitre Peak from its base – at approx a mile high, its the highest mountain in the world to rise directly out of the sea. The pilot of the ship was skilled to put our bow right under waterfalls without wrecking the boat. Once we had made it out of the sound into the Tasman sea we about turned and headed back. The weather was superb for us – bright skies and a slight breeze. Not the wet torrential rain Milford is known for. However, waterfalls are at their best when it's raining. Back on dry land we stopped off on the way back to partake in a few short walks to interesting tourist sights and tried to stop some Japanese twats feeding the Kea's – they chose not to listen. We picked up some beers and headed back to the hostel for some games of pool. Rob diffused a slight altercation between the hostel owner and us and we moved rooms and slept like babies.