Day 4 started early – still dark as we traipsed to the bus stop. Nearly a first hiccup when the second bus to Milford Sound was cancelled. Both drivers had rung in sick but luckily, they were able to find a driver for our bus. Out of the 52 people on the the bus, we were the only two not returning on the same day. It is a wonder we weren’t replaced with a couple from the second bus.
The bus took just over five hours but we had an informative driver and a couple of stops along the way.
An incredible reflection.
Managed to snag a free lunch due to the second bus cancellation. Enjoyed that while we waited and people-watched. Who was going to be on our tour … and who snagged Donna and Mark’s cabin?
We worked out a few fellow passengers… never worked out the late-comers! We boarded the boat and the festivities began. Massive cheese board, drinks, and scenery that was beyond belief – so beautiful.
Our perfect weather meant we didn’t see the hundreds of temporary waterfalls that the rain brings and the ‘moodiness’ of Milford. Oh well, these photos will have to do!
After a tour of the fiord, we anchored and went kayaking. The highlight was convincing a Taiwanese grandmother and her three granddaughters to give it a go. We saw seals basking in the sun.
I declared that I would go swimming to honour Donna and Mark but in the final minutes, and I’m sure no surprise to them, I pulled out. I HATE COLD WATER! The kayaking would have to do!
There was an on-board chef so the 3-course dinner was superb.
We made friends with walkers who had traversed the Routeburn Track, the Taiwanese girls and a lovely couple from North Carolina.
You would be proud, Donna and Mark. We were last to bed …drinking with our North Carolina buddies. We even had to switch out the lights. It cost us enough. Our drinks bill ended being quite big lol!
We awoke to hear there were dolphins swimming on the bow.
We enjoyed another cruise around the fiord, coming close to Stirling Falls. So exhilarating to be on the front of the boat, under the spray. NB Wayne was in the warmth of the cabin.
Probably my only feedback was the morning went too fast. There wasn’t really time to laze in bed and enjoy the scenery out the glass windows. We were basically given an individual hot cooked breakfast, had time for a quick shower and we were on our way back in to dock.
We caught our two shuttle buses back to Queenstown, where we were dropped at Peppers. Same room.
Wayne and I walked into Queenstown, missing Donna and Mark more than ever. Milford Sound was the experience we were going to do together.
We spent the afternoon trying to work out a bit of a plan for the next four days. Again, we needed Donna. Being our master planner, she would have worked out a number of things to do.
We decided our criteria for an experience included: a way of getting there as we are not hiring a car, only wanting to do things for half a day, and not having to pay the earth for the experience. After a couple of hours investigation, we decided on something for Sunday. You’ll have to read my next blog to find out what!
We ended the day at the pub watching the footy. Watched (and heard) the Warriors beat South Rabbitohs. We were all set to watch Manly and the channel was changed. Headed back to our apartment where Wayne enjoyed another victory from his Sea Eagles.
Queenstown in Autumn 