Fiordland
Leaving Dunedin, we passed dairy farms, sheep farms, and deer farms on our way to Te Anau, a gateway to Fiordland and Fiordland National Park. In Te Anau we enjoyed lunch beside peaceful Lake Te Anau, dinner at a lively pub, a bit of fun “taming a trout,” and a beautiful sunset.
The next morning we headed to Manapouri where we departed on an overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound. We first crossed Lake Manapouri in a large boat with about 100 other tourists; then were taken with 3 other passengers in a small van over a high mountain pass to our “small” boat in Doubtful Sound. The boat had cabin space for 12 passengers and 2 crew. Our cabin had a double bed and was “en suite” with its own toilet and hot shower.
Our crew/hosts, Maria and Shawn, treated us royally, preparing wonderful meals and relating to us as friends. They went out of their way to track down special natural plants and wildlife and helped us get a glimpse into the wonders of the area. In addition to the spectacular scenery, including hundreds of waterfalls, we saw several bottle-nosed dolphins at the bow of the boat and several small yellow-crested penguins trying to hide in the rocks. While some of the water could be quite rough and choppy, a quiet area was found where we could spend a little time kayaking.
For our dinner, Maria went deep sea diving and returned with more than enough New Zealand crayfish, a type of lobster. They were delicious! The next morning we had a huge English style breakfast that included some lobster on top of the eggs and bacon.
Fiordland is actually a very rainy place with 6 to 7 meters (or yards) of rain a year! This is why there are so many waterfalls. But we were blessed with beautiful weather and had an experience that cannot be beat.
After returning to Te Anau we also took an afternoon drive to Milford Sound in another section of Fiordland. Along the way we enjoyed lunch beside clear glacial waters and a short walk through a forest to see a deep gorge cut through the rock by gushing water.
