Other trip days
|
Milford Sound Tour (outbound) - To Kingston
Today was an early start 5:30 AM. Got breakfast from Tim, the omelet guy. Put valuables in the safe deposit box at the front desk. Got on Great Sights bus #1246 and met driver (Jonesey). Made a second stop in Queenstown to pick up an Indian couple, some Brits, Brazilians and a Bulgarian. Drove along Lake Wakatipu to its southern end at Kingston. Make an unscheduled stop to see an old steam train on a narrow gauge track (NZ) called the Kingston Flyer
|
Milford Sound Tour (outbound) - To Te Anau
Cut across the town of Five Rivers, through Mossburn, to morning tea stop at Te Anau. Hit the B-room first, then to the Bank of New Zealand to change some money and to a grocery store for snacks. Walked down to Lake Te Anau to take pictures.
|
Milford Sound Tour (outbound) - Mirror Lakes
Back on the bus now travelling north past sheep and deer (venison) ranches. Eventually entered the Fiordland National Park. First stop was the Mirror Lakes (walking past lake but did not see the mirror effect because it was cloudy).
|
Milford Sound Tour (outbound) - Emergency Helipad Scenary Shoot
Next stop was the emergency helipad to shoot some scenary.
|
Milford Sound Tour (outbound) - The Chasm
The third stop was at the Chasm for a considerable (15 min) walk through the rapids and Henry Moore-like naturally sculpted rocks. Final stop was a B-stop just before Milford Sound.
|
Milford Sound Tour - The Cruise
For the boat we received a red ticket to board the Pride of Milford (catamaran) and a purple ticket to get an inside seat and box lunch. Huge crowd was all trying to get on the boat. Globus has some assigned tables on the upper (enclosed) deck for a box lunch consisting of a sandwich, some cheese and crackers, and kiwifruit. After lunch we rushed up to the top, outside deck to look at the scenary. The front and both sides of the railing were already packed with people so I found a spot on the rear railing. It was very windy but I took some pictures. Mobs of Japanese picture takers were running from side-to-side so I did not see the seals. Was in line to use the B, so I also missed the close approach to one of the waterfalls.
|
Milford Sound Tour (return) - Milford to Mossburn
When the boat arrived back there was another rush of people to get off. We got on the bus for the return trip to Queenstown. To get back earlier we were going to go back the same way, but bypassing Te Anau. Somewhere between Te Anau and Mossburn (the southernmost extent of the trip), the back door came open while on the road. Jonesey pulled off the road but could not get the door to stay shut. He called for help but had to end up locking the back door. Drove to Mossburn for a B-stop in the city park.
|
Milford Sound Tour (return) - Mossburn to Queenstown
Evening in Queenstown
After resuming the return journey, we arrived back at the hotel after 7 PM in Queenstown. Got the valuable out of the box. Looking for dinner. Tried to get into Roaring Meg’s (NZ food) but did not have reservations, so we ate at Beefeaters-right after we got in they turned out the Closed sign. I had the rump steak and Kwut had the Cervina venison. Looked at some souvenirs, but did not get anything. Got back at 10:15 PM. It was overcast so we could not see the southern sky. Set alarm for the revised later wake-up at 6 AM. Got the loot out of the safe deposit box at the front desk.
|
|
