Monday, November 12, 2007

Day 4






Hi there!


Well we drove out of Queenstown yesterday morning leaving our beloved hostel which was our home for two days. We drove to the Fijordland National Park and home to Milford Sound.
It was a couple hours by car to Te Anau, I equate this to Duluth and the North Shore, it's the last big city before the park.
We stopped in Te Anau and watched a movie about the park made by a local helecopter pilot. It was very good.
After stocking up on supplies at the local grocery store we booked a kayaking trip in the Milford Sound for the next morning and headed up to the sound to find a place to stay.
Once we got there we rented a campsite and pitched the tent. By this time it had started to rain, and not lightly. This was a hard, rainforest sustaining downpour. We were able to get the tent set up in record time with minimal water in the tent. We made dinner in the hostel kitchen and played Cribbage in the lounge, I'm down two games to nil... About 9:30 we made our way back into the downpour into our tent for a good night's rest... yea right! It rained all night and about 3:00AM the wind picked up and the trees around us creaked and it sounded like we were surrounded by a roaring river.
We got up the next morning and the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out.
The kayak guides picked us up and we headed out into Milford Sound.
This was so cool, the scenery was beautiful. The granite walls went straight up.
We kayaked around the sound for 4 hours looking at the forest and the local wildlife. We saw a penguin, a seal, and dolphins. Even saw the rare and elusive Canadian Goose... go figure. The guide couldn't believe his eyes, it was the first one he's ever seen.
We've made our way back to Queenstown and are staying in Wanaka tonight.
Not sure if there is internet access but I'll update the blog the next chance we get.
Hope everyone is doing well, we'll talk to you soon!

Mike & Jen.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Jen and Mike! Thanks for sharing all the pictures - it looks absolutely beautiful. Jen - congrats on the jump, I knew you could do it! Kota is well and says hi. No mishaps yet, just alot of drool!!! Love ya, Amy

Anonymous said...

Hi guys. Jen, I can't believe you did it! Good for you. The pictures are gorgeous and it sounds like you're having a terrific time. Stay safe!!
Love, Mom and Dad

Rita said...

Hi Mike and Jen!
'Had to laugh about all that rain! Hope you were able to catch up on sleep the next night.
Those granite cliffs are awesome! Looks like something out of Lord of the Rings.
Everyone is ok here.
Love, Mama