Milford Sound and kayaking

After the bus pickup from Rainbow Reach on the Friday morning, we were whisked away by Ray (bus-driver) from Fjordland Tours and spent the rest of the day travelling the 117 km up to Milford Sound. Its worth taking the time as its a beautiful trip.

Tania at Knobs Flat looking toward Homer Saddle

The NZ parrot is called a Kea - very inquisitive and friendly

Marion Gorge waters near Homer Saddle

At Homer Saddle waiting for the tunnel lights to go green

Looking down into Milford Sound past the tunnel at Homer Saddle.

Well as you will realise, the rain certainly set in on Friday afternoon and ended with a storm about 9am Saturday. We stayed at Milford Lodge which was an excellent stay - a bar included! Dinner at the pub in Milford village was great as well.

The storm ended on Saturday morning but stayed raining while we went out kayaking on the Sound - this would have been spectacular on a clear day but all we got was heavy squally rain, high winds causing waves/swells and, even in those conditions, I got eaten alive by the sandflies - looked like I had measles! The kayaking people were great though and very professional.

Got whisked by Ray back into Te Anau on Saturday to the Youth Hostel again for two nights - washing (laundromats at the hostel and in town), stocking up for the Routeburn walk, and resting generally. I can't recommend staying in Te Anau enough - friendly people and great shops open 7 days and long hours. We were two nights at the Youth Hostel (Saturday and Sunday nights) - BBQ the first night and some soup and bread rolls from the bakery the second night.