Milford Sound didn’t have me excited when I heard we had to take a 4 hour bus ride. Then the bus showed up. Not bad. Then we got on our way, it was beautiful. The bus had a glass roof so that you could see the full extent of the views. The driver gave a commentary that was very informational. We drove through Fjordland National Park, and learned a lot about the plants, animals, the waterfalls, the glaciers, and the lake. Lake Wakatipu is referred to as the ‘breathing lake’ , every 10 seconds it ebbs and flows 10cm due to atmospheric pressure – cool, right? We got to out boat and were given a great picnic lunch as we went out Milford Sound to the Abel Tasman Sea. It was spectacular. The mountains rise from 10 Empire State buildings under water to 5 above. The pictures are frustrating, as there’s no perfect way to get the impression of the extensive perspective.

If you open any pictures, open these!!

We saw bottle nosed dolphins, some seals, and so many waterfalls. Ferry Fall has a rainbow that you can see in the picture, and another waterfall the boat went right up to and MK got right out underneath.

The clouds began to set in a little, and we turned back. The Abel Tasman Sea is the 2nd most dangerous in the world, with record setting swells. It was amazing. We learned that Captain Cook actually missed the Sound the first time he came around the coast, and it’s only called a sound to fit in with the rest of the names even though it’s not a sound, it’s a fjord, formed from a glacier.

So, then. We were supposed to get back on that bus for a 4 hour return trip…but my husband loves me.

He hates planes, and really hates small ones. But he knew how much I would have loved to take the optional (for a fee) flight back to Queensland. I might have mentioned it.

These pictures cannot do the scenery justice. There were ice caps melting and lakes in the mountains, and vineyards closer to the city, everything. There is no doubt that even that day I knew this was the most amazing part of my trip, no matter what came next. it was breathtaking, truly why they call NZ God’s Country. They say if he could pick a place to live, this would be it. I’m not speaking for anyone, but I wouldn’t blame Him!