We'd heard that Milford Sound was at its most impressive in the rain, but this didn't make it any more tempting to venture out of the campervan into the bad weather. We did have a 2-for-1 voucher for the boat cruise, however, so before long we'd boarded the boat and were ready to visit the fiord.

The rain continued throughout the trip, which is hardly surprising considering it's rainforest, but it did mean that we were treated to the most fantastic waterfalls. We learned that strictly speaking the spectacle is a fiord and not a sound as it's been carved out by a glacier, although this still didn't help me in really understanding what either a fiord or a sound is, but I did get some lovely photos.

My attentions were slightly distracted by listening to the ungrateful teenager behind us who thought the trip was 'so crap,' but I did get to hear all about the party she'd been at the previous night.

As the boat weaved its way through Milford Sound the waterfalls became more impressive, and we ventured so close to one that everyone outside taking pictures was drenched. Unfortunately, we weren't lucky enough to see any seals bobbing about, maybe the rain was too much for them as well.

Although the Milford Sound Cruise was certainly worthwhile, we both agreed that it wasn't as impressive as all the guidebooks and tourist offices had made out to us. Maybe we've been spoiled by all the fantastic scenery we've seen in New Zealand so far that we keep expecting better.

Rosa