New Zealand South Island: Milford Sound

Milford Sound was next on our itinerary. 

We passed Thundercreek Falls on our way down. The sandflies were truly in their element out there. Could barely stand in front of this view for more than a few seconds. 

We almost made it to the Blue Pools but alas, due to a series of unfortunate events involving of the swarming of sandflies (of course!), mistaken parking, an untimely ankle blister and an unprovoked racist attack to top it off, the trip was not meant to be. 

Maybe in the future, we could redo Haast Pass sans sandflies and bald-headed middle-aged drunk-looking rednecks.

We stayed in Te Anau.

The view that greeted us early in the morning.

We set off to Milford Sound early in the morning to make it there on time for our 10am cruise.

Given the rainfall that occurred that week, this became a Waterfall Tour. During our drive there, we saw many imposing rocky mountains decorated with silver streaks. It was really quite mesmerising. One of the highlights of the journey there was undoubtedly the Homer Tunnel. Vehicles were to take turns entering the tunnel one side at a time. We were the first to wait on our side with the clock counting down our turn to enter the abyss. Driving through the small dark tunnel was really quite the experience. There were mini waterfalls on the tunnel walls. 

Ash from the Australian bushfires had made it onto the snow-capped mountains.

We took the cruise with Mitre Peak, a smaller boat. The waters were quite choppy as it was a windy day. We saw seals and even spotted dolphins coming in from the Tasman Sea. Even though it was the middle of summer, the Sound has its own weather system. It was between 8-10 degrees that day.

We were told that Milford Sound has a few permanent waterfalls but would have over a hundred waterfalls after a rainy spell. It is apparently the second wettest place on Earth. 

 

Waterfalls everywhere!

We had a very good guide on the cruise who gave us many fascinating facts about the Sound and the wildlife that lived there. Always nice to meet people who love their job! He explained that the water that flows down from slopes is freshwater which forms a layer at the top (with green colour organisms to act as sunglasses for fish) but the bottom layer is saltwater, so lots of living stuff that would normally be very far down at bottom of sea are very close to surface.

We couldn't make it out completely into the open ocean as per the usual route because the winds were too strong. We sort of ventured out at the entrance and turned back. The 10 minutes were intense and the waves had come up to the handlebars. I felt like a sailor lost at sea at that point, just hoping that the ocean wouldn't capsize our tiny boat. Almost everyone was inside. Due to seasickness, I needed to be outside as looking at any point of the boat would make me severely nauseous. I sat alone right at the back and held on to the railing for dear life as the waves came as high as my shoulders when the boat rocked up and down. 

So many gorgeous waterfalls.

This view gave me Jurassic World vibes....

Milford Sound is a breathtaking place and I would definitely return!