Day 304 (Mon 7 May) - Te Anau (Milford Sound)
Big day today as we were set to drive to Milford Sound.
Set off and were soon passing through a landscape of gorges, lined with waterfalls, Lake Mirror and Gunn and by snow and ice capped mountains.
Passed through the half finished looking Milford Tunnel. The sides of the tunnel are bare jagged rock and the water cascading down in various places gives you an uncomfortable feeling.
Passed through and onto a very steep windy road taking us down to Milford.
At the tiny settlement of MS (basically a couple of shops and a jetty) we booked onto a Red Cruise to take us round.
Soon set off on our boat, past gushing waterfalls and the seemingly vertical rocks of MS. At a couple of the more accessible waterfalls the boat skipper positioned the boat so that the front of it would actually enter the torrent. The force of the spray was quite astounding and we got a fairly good soaking. The crew even set out some glasses that were filled by the cascading water for everyone to have a taste. Mountain spring water straight from the tap, so to speak.
As we travelled round we saw some seals lazing round.
We cruised round MS and out to open water for a couple of hours thouroughly spell bound ( [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] ).
Headed back and had a cup of tea at the cafe before heading back. Stopped at a place called the Chasm. A natural feature where fast flowing water has carved the surrounding rocks into quite beautiful shapes.
Drove on and were soon waiting for the green light that would allow us to go through the Milford Tunnel. Sarb suddenly spotted a large parrot walking round the road. Despite the cars passing him closeby he seemed to have a quite unconcerned and indeed even a menacing look about him. Without a doubt this was a kea. The very intelligent ruffian of the avian world. The light soon turned green and Sarb set off neglecting to check that all occupants were properly seated. A flash of something in the rearview mirror alerted that all was not well and indeed it wasn't.
Whizzed through the tunnel and stopped off at a place where we could take in a good view of a valley. We piled out of the van had a look round and only then noticed a kea watching us. It started to strut over to us in a purposeful way and induced us all into a panic. We all raced back into the van the bird chasing us. Ruth said that she'd never seen a bird with a more menacing look about them.
Headed back to Te Anau where we chatted about the incredible day.
Set off and were soon passing through a landscape of gorges, lined with waterfalls, Lake Mirror and Gunn and by snow and ice capped mountains.
Passed through the half finished looking Milford Tunnel. The sides of the tunnel are bare jagged rock and the water cascading down in various places gives you an uncomfortable feeling.
Passed through and onto a very steep windy road taking us down to Milford.
At the tiny settlement of MS (basically a couple of shops and a jetty) we booked onto a Red Cruise to take us round.
Soon set off on our boat, past gushing waterfalls and the seemingly vertical rocks of MS. At a couple of the more accessible waterfalls the boat skipper positioned the boat so that the front of it would actually enter the torrent. The force of the spray was quite astounding and we got a fairly good soaking. The crew even set out some glasses that were filled by the cascading water for everyone to have a taste. Mountain spring water straight from the tap, so to speak.
As we travelled round we saw some seals lazing round.
We cruised round MS and out to open water for a couple of hours thouroughly spell bound ( [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] ).
Headed back and had a cup of tea at the cafe before heading back. Stopped at a place called the Chasm. A natural feature where fast flowing water has carved the surrounding rocks into quite beautiful shapes.
Drove on and were soon waiting for the green light that would allow us to go through the Milford Tunnel. Sarb suddenly spotted a large parrot walking round the road. Despite the cars passing him closeby he seemed to have a quite unconcerned and indeed even a menacing look about him. Without a doubt this was a kea. The very intelligent ruffian of the avian world. The light soon turned green and Sarb set off neglecting to check that all occupants were properly seated. A flash of something in the rearview mirror alerted that all was not well and indeed it wasn't.
Whizzed through the tunnel and stopped off at a place where we could take in a good view of a valley. We piled out of the van had a look round and only then noticed a kea watching us. It started to strut over to us in a purposeful way and induced us all into a panic. We all raced back into the van the bird chasing us. Ruth said that she'd never seen a bird with a more menacing look about them.
Headed back to Te Anau where we chatted about the incredible day.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
5/07/2007 11:08:00 pm
1 Comments:
now running out of superlatives for commenting on the scenery. Glad Sarb is taking a keen interest in the birds
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Anonymous, At
4:43 pm
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