Wednesday/Thursday - Milford Sound

Trip is on even though there's been another fall of snow overnight. Our guide, Sue, can't drive us because the bus has to be 'snow chain' accreditted so we'll miss her.

The coach that picked us up is more luxurious but the driver has lots of interesting information but such a monotonous voice and I switched off after the 1st hour.

The views today have a whole different dimension with the fresh fallen snow on the mountains.
Stopped at the 'Kingston Flyer' for a coffee - it's an old railway station with a working steam train to take you for a ride up the track.

As well as sheep and cows in the fields, I've seen lots of deer today which the farmers apparently breed for German export - venison.
Further on into the journey the rain has turned to sleet and then to snow.

A quick stop for lunch at Te Anau which is on the side of the largest lake in New Zealand - no pics as it's pretty horrible weather.

On we go and the snow gets heavier. We get to a really long tunnel through the mountain which is only wide enough really for one vehicle and as we just about reach the end a camper van comes through so we get stuck for 10 minutes while each of us tries to manoeuvre out of the situation. Exit the tunnel and the roads are covered with snow and it's really thick on the hills. The snow ploughs are continually driving up and down clearing the roads. As we drop down into the valley the snow starts to clear. I've said it before - this weather is bizarre - 4 seasons in one day.

GOt to the boat at 4pm and after a safety briefing we sailed out of the harbour and into Milford Sound. It's still raining but still an awesome sight being a small vessel sailing through Fjords on both sides.
We stopped offshore of a small cove and people (not ME) went kayaking, or for a trip on the small boat and some MAD people even went swimming in the icy cold waters.

The crew cooked us lamb shank, herb mash and veg for dinner followed by peach crumble and icecream. It was delicious and you'll be impressed Yas - I ate the lot.
Had a few bicardis and played UNO and Cranium - such a laugh.

Early to bed though as we wanted to be up by 7.15 to see the wildlife and have a full english breakfast. Breakfast was great and I'm really impressed how the crew manage to cook for over 60 and they all piping hot.

Today we cruised out of the SOund - out to the Tasman sea - it's bitterly cold but our reward is to see seals and dolphins. The views today are so different to yesterday as the skies are blue and the sun is shining. This waterway is so magnificent today with the snow capped mountains, and fast flowing waterfalls.

I really can't give you the right picture of all I've seen - I just hope some of the photos will do that.

It's a long drive back to Queenstown but we have more stops on the way with equally spectacular views. We have lunch again at Te Anau but today is a completely different aspect on the lake.

Only 3 days left till I head for San Francisco.

Love Sue xxxxxxxxxxx