15th January we made our way towards Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph Glacier. On route we made a 96km detour for lunch. We were recommended to try the Craypot fish restaurant at Jackson Bay. The food was superb well worth the detour. We had Rig and Gurnard with chips which we shared. We arrived at Fox a Glacier in full bright sunshine but unfortunately this changed overnight and we were only able to see a small amount of the glacier the next day. We then moved on t...

After totally relaxing yesterday in the sunshine we decided a bit of adventure was needed. We booked ourselves on to the Shot Over Dart jet boat ride. What a great experience skimming across the canyon only feet away from sheer rock in a 700 bhp twin engine boat. The boat can easily complete 360 degree turns and on one occasion completed 540 degree turn. Jan didn't quite realise what she was letting her self in for and came off the boat a little shell shocked. ...

We were very pleasantly surprised this morning to find clear skies and everywhere starting to dry. We made our way to the cruise ship which left at 9am for a one and three quarter hour cruise. Milford Sound is smaller than Doubtful Sound but no less spectacular. At one point the Captain placed the bow of the boat under one of the cascading waterfalls, a free shower for everyone on the top deck. We took photos on the camera so unfortunately can not upload them t...

We awoke this morning to drizzly rain, after breakfast we began our two hour drive to Milford Sound. As we made our way the rain became heavier and heavier, of course we were thinking how terrible this was. However as we started the climb towards Homer tunnel on Mount Belle we were met with such a stunning sight, there were 100's of waterfalls cascading down the side of the mountain. Homer tunnel is 1.2km long down a one in ten incline, cut through solid rock, v...

Saturday 10th was another early start as we decided to visit Doubtful Sound. We made our way to Lake Manapouri where our first cruise boat sailed at 8am. To get to Doubtful Sound you cruise for 75 minutes and then catch a coach which takes you over the Wilmot Pass (over 6000 meters high) you then join your second cruise boat for a three hour cruise on the Sound. What can we say about Doubtful Sound? Easy really WOW...WOW!! The scenery was just spectacular. A l...