Milford Sound

It was a very early start today, with a pick up by coach before dawn at 7am. The coach was comfortable with a glass roof for better views of the  spectacular  scenery we saw on our way to Milford Sound, and driven  by personable Ryan, originally from Preston, Lancashire, who came here ten years ago,for skiing and stayed.Ryan gave a good commentary as we travelled along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through  rolling countryside to Te Anau, for a coffee stop. Te Anau seemed a small place but there was a profusion of posters advertising their  forthcoming three day Ukulele Festival. (Shame we were a couple of weeks too early!) After that, the scenery became  much more mountainous  and there were snow-topped peaks and waterfalls. The road was tortuous and I was very glad I wasn't driving the large coach. One hundred km from Te Anau we drove  through  the 1200 m long Homer Tunnel into the Cleddau Valley. This area is subject to avalanches but today we were safe to proceed. We made  a stop at a car park where there are cheeky Kea parrots seeking treats from visitors, and, for fun, pecking at the window seals on vehicles. (See extra) Ryan pointed out where the 53 km  Milford Track walk begins. He has walked it, and  several others in  Fjordland. There are no facilities once you start these  walks, and  you must take all your supplies for a two or three night adventure. 
Eventually we arrived at the wharf at Milford Sound where we boarded our boat, the Milford Mariner. We cruised the full length of the Sound and out to sea, before returning.We passed spectacular mountainsides and waterfalls. It rains here most days so we were very lucky not to get wet, just a bit cold from the wind.  We saw a few fur seals lolling about on rocks unbothered by the many boats .
It was difficult to choose a blip photo to represent the dramatic scenery, but in the end this lovely waterfall  won. 
Then it was the long drive  back to Queenstown, which we arrived at 6.15pm. However, it was definitely  worth the long day out!  

Another very late Blip!