From the Southern most tip of the South Island we started working our way North along the western portion of the island. First stop was Te Anau, the gateway to the world famous Milford Sound. We camped in a very crowed but very scenic campground along a glacial mountain lake. In the evening I enjoyed watching the Brown Trout endlessly rising and jumping along the edges of the calm waters. (1 guy was fishing – caught 6 all over 3 pounds). The campground had 5 sites....by nightfall there were 26 campers crammed in!!! In the morning we were ambushed and assaulted by Sand flies. Within 15 seconds of getting out of the car, Renee and I had 13 bites...not even fair, we didn’t even have a chance.
We carried on to Milford Sound, where we boarded or tour boat. It was foggy, but thought it would burn up like most morning fog does. Within 10 minutes on the boat it got really foggy, couldn’t see anything. The Captain came on the speakers and said “Hey folks, I feel really bad for you all as this is the foggiest day I have seen in Milford in many years”....just great. We toured around the sound and out into the ocean, then returning to the dock. We were able to see up the slopes of the cliffs in a few places but it was too foggy. Upon return, the company offered us a free do-over in the afternoon providing the fog lifted. We had nowhere to go, so we took it! The afternoon was clear, so we were able to see everything. Gigantic mountains plunging straight down into the ocean, one of which is the largest sea cliff in the world at 1 mile high, nearly straight up above your head. The sound was created by glaciers, instead of rivers, so it made for interesting features and abnormally steep slopes. Upon docking we walked into the lounge and caught the second half of the Superbowl, and enjoyed a beer. Great Day!
We moved back to Te Anau where we set up camp at a free campsite. The rift raft that comes into these free campsites is very comical. Always drunk and stoned, usually 18-20 years old. When arriving right before dark, you would think priority would be set up a tent or something....nope priority is thrown the football and slam beers....the tent goes up when it gets dark and starts raining. Those that sleep in campers always seem to find the most uneven ground in the whole campsite....and park. Slope of 23 degrees – no problem.
The next day, on the advice from some friends back home; Nate Dog and Slamm’n Simon we embarked on the Kepler Track. We only did the first half as for day 2 the forecast was for heavy rain. We did 25 km roundtrip, up the mountain to the first hut above the tree-line. Perfectly maintained trail, with great views at the top. Very nice hike.
The next day, they were right about the rain, so we used the rain day as a travel day to Queenstown...the "Banff" of New Zealand.
COLIN
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