Boxing Day - This was to be our pinnacle day: a cruise in Milford Sound. To get there we drove 2 hours west of Te Anau through the coastal mountains and down to the Tasman Sea.
It was a fabulous drive. We saw snow and rivers, and hundreds of waterfalls scaling down tiered mountain cliffs. It was rainy, so taking pictures was difficult, but they would be insufficient anyway. I was a little disappointed in the weather, but apparently it rains 90% of the time in Milford. Thus the waterfalls.
Ephraim couldn't keep his eyes on the road.
At one point we were driving up the mountain and at the peak we went through a one-lane tunnel to emerge in a giant bowl of waterfalls--thousands of them. How can so much water travel so consistently? Big wows.
At the end of the road we checked in at the dock and soon boarded our scenic lunch cruise. I have to say the meal part was distracting. I mean I felt silly worrying about getting the kids tomato sauce when we were passing through the most beautiful place on earth. But lunch on a boat, yay!
The boat took us right into some falls, so people outside got drenched in seconds.
Everywhere you looked water was careening to the sea. Some cliffs were so high you couldn't see the top, and many were tiered, like giant steps.
I must've smiled like this a lot in New Zealand because my cheeks constantly ached.
It was a lovely day. That night back in Te Anau we were furthest west (or east, I guess) and furthest south we've ever been at 45 South and 167 East. When we passed the sign for 45 degree latitude line we thought of how often we crossed 45 North in Oregon. Now were at the bottom of the world. Do you ever have moments when you ask yourself, How did we get here? We're just blessed I guess.
Ephraim found Milford Sound on Goggle Earth and was impressed with his virtual tour. You should try it!
Side note: "Good on ya!" is a common phrase in NZ. Getting off the boat Isaac got a "Good on ya!" from a crewman. He turned to me and said, "That guy just called me Onya." Ha ha. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get that phrase to sound natural.
6 comments:
Those pictures are amazing! Love the 'good on ya' phrase. Think I'll use it. :)
Wow. I am still a little disappointed you guys went without us! There were some jobs there, but for people further along than me.
i'm still amazed by those pictures, even though, like you said, that the camera does the actual beauty no justice. milford sound is now going to have to be on my list of places to see!
those waterfalls...holy cow. I'm glad someone I know got to see them.
WOW! Completely incredible! I love your trael log! And I LOVE the things kids say!
--Monette
I remember "good on ya" a lot from when we lived in Australia (2nd grade). I'd love to go to NZ!
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