Milford Sound-Fiordland

Waking up with beautiful views of the sunrise over the lake and mountains, listening to the birds singing with coffee in hand-this is what I call a great start to the day!

Now getting to Te Anau, a small village and the jumping off point for most trips to Milford Sound, wasn't so easy. Well it would have been if the only road "highway" to the south wasn't closed because of a landslide! "Didn't you see the sign in Franz Joseph?" the "polite" lady at the closure asked. We looked at each other for reassurance that we didn't and agreed that we were too occupied chatting with the hitchhiker we picked up as we were leaving Hokitika, we totally missed the obviously tiny sign:( Eitherway, we had been travelling all day and it was pouring sideways rain now so we welcomed the stop. With only one option for accommodation in Haast, we lucked out with a couple of the last available beds! Guess we weren't the only ones who missed the "sign."

Stop at Franz Joseph Glacier. Even after an hour walk, it was hard to get a good look. 

Lots of this. This is New Zealand after all!

The next day we set off early as the road reopened at 7am. Another full day of travelling (with stops) and we arrived at our destination around 5pm-only to find limited space at the hostels in town. I think we better start booking ahead:( No worries though. We haven't had to sleep in the car yet! lol

Watching the sunset over the lake after checking into our hostel across the street. 

Getting ourselves out of bed at 6am the next day to drive to Milford Sound wasn't the easiest task-but well worth it! With nothing booked(lol), we managed to arrive in good time, buy cruise tickets with our buy 1 get 1 half off coupon, and set off with the rest of the crowds into the depth of Milford's Fiord. It rains on average 182 days of the year here (6-9 metres annually) so we felt pretty blessed with a sunny cruise. We cheers'd our free coffees on the deck and set our eyes forward on the adventure ahead.

6am start. Fog lifting and sun rising over the mountains in Fiordland on the way to Milford Sound

Hommer tunnel. Did I mention how much I love tunnels? not!

This one, build in 1953, is 1.2km long, carved through a mountain. The sides are solid rock. 

A great morning to explore Milford sound by boat

Front and centre. Top deck with an unobstructed view of the Fiord. 

Fiord entrance-looking out on the Tasman Sea. 

Stunning views of the mountains all around Milford Sound. 

On the road back from Milford Sound. Stopped for a picnic lunch along the river with this view. 

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