We awake early this morning to note that we are no longer rocking and rolling. I am up and about early and getting rugged up as I do not want to miss any of the sights and we are due in Milford Sound at 0700......

Milford Sound

Wow, wow, wow......majestic, magnificent, stunningly beautiful and freezing cold!!

Milford Sound is part of Te Wahipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the jewel of Fiordland National Park. Despite its name, Milford Sound is actually a fiord, not a sound. Who knew there was a difference??? A fiord is primarily created by glacial activity while a sound is described as a large sea inlet according to our onboard commentary.

Some of the particular sights we saw were;

Seal Rock where the native NZ fur seals live and can clamber up onto the rock to bask in the sun...but not today....it is freezing cold and overcast and we don't see a soul.

Stirling Falls is one of the famous waterfalls in Milford Sound and drops 146 Metres

Lady Bowen Falls is the tallest waterfall in the sound measuring 162 metres.

Sinbad Gully is a perfect U-shaped valley formed by the slopes of the surrounding mountains opposite the wharf.

Mitre Peak is the iconic sight of the sound rising 1692 metres. Its name comes from the distinctive shape of its summit - like a bishop's mitre - and is actually formed by five peaks together.

Dusky Sound

Lunchtime sees us arrive in Dusky Sound where we are greeted with rain and even a light dusting of snow. Hard to get any good photos but it is still incredible to view. This is one of the most complex fiords on this coast, it is also one of the largest, 40 kilometres in length and 8 kilometres wide at its widest point and several large islands lie in the sound.

Doubtful Sound

Mid-afternoon sees us arrive in Doubtful sound which is 3 times longer than the Milford Sound, and with a surface area 10 times larger. Again we are met with rain and mist so we are all suddenly pleased we got up early this morning to at least get a few good photos in one sound before the bad weather came in. In Maori legend, the godly figure Tu Te Raki Whanoa created this incredibly beautiful fiord with the assistance of four young sea gods who carved out its sheltered arms. The fiord was named by Captain Cook who was "doubtful" it was navigable. Whilst this unspoiled wilderness was a sight to see it was also mysterious and cloaked in mist.

Heading off for an early dinner tonight and get ready to party........