Glaciers, Queenstown, and SoundsMay 17, 2012
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Doubtful Sound
Mitre Peak
| On are way to Queenstown where we spent 4 nights, May 17 -20, we saw the Franz Joseph Glacier and the Fox Glacier where we did a short hike to the foot of the Glacier. The latter was more impressive. Although we hoped to get to Queenstown before dark, we didn't and found the night driving rather hair raising at times. Queenstown to borrow a phrase from Christina's friend is like Banff in Middle Earth, but its situated beside a lake, a rather hilly but attractive town and the center of lots of outdoor, like bungie jumping, zip lining acrouse a canyon, and shooting a river in a jet boat. On the 18th we explored the town, walked the shore line, and discovered their botanical gardens. We also took the Gondola to get a view, and at 1500ft it was a spectacular panarama. Although from the town it doesn't look very high, its a good perch from which to see the town in relation to the Lake Wakatipu and the surronding mountains. On the 19th we left very early on an excursion to Doubtful Sound on the coast. A 12 hour round trip it was well worth it. The excursion began by boat on Lake Manapouri, then by coach overland through a mountain pass tto catch a boat at Doubtful Sound. When on the bus to Lake Manapouri the weather looked iffy, but it turned out clear and sunny, a stunning day, which was amazing as it rains 2 out of every 3 days there. We saw bottle nose dolphins that came right beside the boat, and sea lions where Doubtful Sound opened into the Tasman Sea, and even experienced some significant swells. The scenery was breathtaking, the highlight was when the Captain turned off the engines and asked everyone to be silent. The boat was in the Crooked Arm of the Sound - in a very still area. It was a sacred moment listening to the waterfalls and the birds. On the 20th we had a liesurely Sunday and explored Arrowtown 25 minutes away, a charming town which was the site of the first gold rush in the area. It felt like Heritage park in Calgary but with people still living there. We found a quaint little cafe to have some tea and goodies, of course, and returned back via Gorge road and saw golden Larch trees along the road side. On the 21st, early Monday morning, we drove in the dark following the the same route toward Doutbful Sound but went onto Milford Sound via Te Anau. The 119km descent from Te Anau to Milford Sound was most impressive and included the 1.2 km Homer tunnel descending from an alpine meadow through a mountain. The scenery on this route was certainly equal to Milford Sound. The scope of the landscape is immense and reminded us Lord of the Rings - we wondered if some of it was filmed near here. The major descent was full of switchbacks and the views were awe inspiring. We arrived to see Mitre Peak in full sunlight even before boarding the boat. Milford Sound is much shorter and narrower than Doubtful Sound, with a number of waterfalls dropping right into the sea. Again we had a rare sunny day and spotted dolphins which had not been seen for 2 weeks. We are amazed that throughout this week in New Zealand we have had such sunny weather even though its been frosty and we have worn all our layers. The Journey continues. Writing from Dunedin, R & L |
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