We left Wanaka at 6:30 AM to drive the 290km to Manapouri; we had light rain much of the way. We drove past many wineries, a few ski areas, several large lakes, and fields filled with grazing sheep and deer. Then we went along a road through Kawarau Gorge where they have bungy jumping platforms. After Cromwell, we drove past Queenstown and along Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown is surrounded by mountains, including the Remarkables - what a great name for a mountain range.

We stopped for a "flat white" - one of the great varieties of coffee served at the Five Rivers cafe. We will have a hard time adjusting to regular coffee when we get home.

At eleven, we went through Te Anau, a great little town on a huge lake, and then on to Manapouri to the Real Journeys office. Fortunately the rain stopped and we enjoyed a picnic lunch. The journey to Doubtful Sound required an hour cruise across the island-studded Lake Manapouri and an hour bus trip over Wilmot Pass. Then we boarded our boat, the Navigator, in Deep Cove of Doubtful Sound. Captain (then Lieutenant) Cook gave the name to Doubtful Sound because he said he doubted the winds would permit them to sail back out if they ventured into the sound.

Doubtful Sound is the second largest of Fiordland National Park's 14 fiords. It is far more remote than the more popular Milford Sound which so many people visit because it can be reached by vehicle. Real Journeys is the only company allowed on Doubtful Sound, and we only saw one other boat and some kayaks the entire trip.

It was quite windy so our Captain took us into Crooked Arm which is protected and more shallow than the main channel. There we divided into small groups and Bob and I went on a tender craft with the naturalist who identified plants and birds for us. Some of the group chose to kayak and others, believe it or not, chose to swim.

After those activities the Navigator traveled the length of the fiord to the entrance to the Tasman Sea. Along the way we saw dophins, fur seals and the especially cute Fiordland Crested Penguins.

Then we had a wonderful dinner followed by a slide show narrated by the naturalist. We met many nice people including an American couple from Oregon and a British couple who kept us laughing.

After dinner we dropped anchor in a sheltered cove. Our bedroom is very comfortable. We have a large bed, windows, chairs, a nightstand, and a small but adequate bathroom. It was truly a privilege to be in this beautiful wilderness area overnight.