TE ANAU and FIORDLAND

We are now about half way through our amazing holiday and about as far away from Penwortham as we can be.

As we travel around and arrive in a new place we look for and appreciate certain things:

a friendly face
a hot shower
an aperitif before dinner
and a comfortable bed

Simple.

oh, and fast internet, so that we can update the blog, check our emails and Skype home

oh, and each other!

Our base for the next 3 nights is Te Anau, a town on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau, the second largest lake in the South Island.

Shakespeare House Bed and Breakfast.

We are in the Hamlet room.

It is a little cloudy as we set off for the two hour drive to Milford Sound.  However, the scenery is stunning and there is something to photograph around every corner.

Waiting to drive through the Homer Tunnel.

Arriving at the Visitor Centre for the Scenic Cruise.  

Mitre Peak rises more than a kilometre high straight out of the sea.

One of the many waterfalls cascading into the fiord.

Towering cliffs and peaks with rain forests clinging to sheer rock faces.

Seals basking on the rocks

Mirror Lakes on the way back to Te Anau.

A magnificent day.  And it stayed fine, which is amazing, as apparently Fiordland is one of the wettest places in the world.  Milford Sound averages more than 6m a year.

The next day when we visit Doubtful Sound, it is raining.  Not surprising really as apparently it rains 2 days out of 3.   Still, ... always look on the bright ... the waterfalls will be magnificent.

The coach picks us up early for a full day wilderness excursion.  With no direct road access, the only way you can get to visit is by taking a cruise across Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass.  Included in the trip is a visit to Manapouri Underground Power Station, the largest hydro power station in New Zealand, and one of the most efficient in the world.

The 2km tunnel leading underground to the immense machine hall ... very James Bond like!

Next stop, Deep Cove, where we board our vessel for a cruise on Doubtful Sound, second largest of Fiordland National Park's 14 fiords.  It is remote, wild and imposing.   Even when it is raining it is just beautiful and there are rainbows everywhere.

Just some of the spectacular waterfalls we saw along the way.

We went in so close to this one we could catch some water to drink.

In 1986, Fiordland National Park was declared a World Heritage Area on account of its superlative natural features, its exceptional beauty and its role in demonstrating the world's evolutionary history. What a privilege to visit this wonderful place.