Doubtful Sound

at the start of december, I managed to book myself onto the overnight cruise at another of the sounds, Doubtful sound, which is about halfway down the fiordland coast (Milford is right at the top).

It started with a bus ride from Te Anau to Manapouri (where I cycled with Michelle earlier on). Then we had to get a boat on lake Manapouri to the far side of the lake, close to the Manapouri Power Station. From there, we had to get a bus for an hour or so across the Wilmot pass to the start of doubtful sound where the boat was waiting. There was an absolutely stunning view of Doubtful sound as we crested the hill of the Wilmot pass, we had perfect weather.

We got onto the boat, the Navigator, at aroudn 2pm for the cruise to start. Started off with tea and some nice muffins and a chat to an american couple. After an hour or so, we stopped so we could go kayaking on the sound. It was lovely being out on the water! So peaceful! When that was finished, I sat at the front of the boat having a beer and enjoying the sunshine. it was most pleasant :) Some people went swimming in the sound, but I decided to stay dry and watched them instead. You could really see the tannins in the freshwater from all the trees as they swam.

From there we headed on out to the Tasman sea to look at the seal colony. It was really windy out there and a much wider opening out to the sea than in Milford. Lots of small islands. They're mostly predator free which is good, but unfortunately, since ferrets can swim, the Department of Conservation are constantly trying to monitor the situation and its an ongoing battle. (Basically, all mammals are introduced animals to NZ, there were only birds here before humans came, and they bought rats, possums, ferrets and other critters with them for various reasons - now they all eat the birds and their eggs, which is why so many species are now extinct or in grave danger or becoming so)

We had some really nice soup in the afternoon to tide us over until dinner time, then back outside to enjoy the sunshine and the scenery until tea time. The boat anchored for the evening in one of the arms that comes off doubtful where it was sheltered. Dinner was delicious! Really good food! After tea and the lovely desserts, there was a slide show and nature talk by the guide about the creatures and wildlife round the area.

The next morning everyone got up early, around 6ish when the anchor was lifted and woke everyone up, but it was brilliant being out in the early morning and enjoying the scenery. Its so hard when youre surrounded by all these massive mountains to gain a bit of perspective as to just how high they are. The skipper drove really close to an overhang on onw of the mountains so we could get an idea of the height.

Then we sailed down the 'Hall Arm' and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The water was so still and quiet. The skipper turned the engines and generator off so we could listen to the sounds of the waterfall and birdsong. YOu dont realise how loud the boat noises are until they're switched off, it was really special.

And from there we headed back. Its so different to Milford, but they're both pretty special places.