South Island - Second Leg: West Coast

So, nice drive from Queenstown to Te Anau but very foggy and drizzly when we arrived. We treated ourselves to a steak dinner at our hostel, yummy if the chef says so herself! Next morning took the drive down Milford Road. There were some beautiful vistas to stop and take photos (I'll add a few more to the blog eventually). A field of purple and pink wildflowers, wish I knew the name to tell you. Mountains and creeks of course! When we got to the end of the Road to Milford Sound (actually a fjord) we were immediately attacked by sand flies when we exited the vehicle. AHHHHHHHH! Little but more annoying then one big fly or a bunch of mosquitoes.

Turns out the walk to Bowen Falls was closed so we got in the car and headed back to make our first stop at The Chasm ( a gorgeous chasm of water forcing it's way through the rocks to create beautifully sculpted rocks that reminded me of something living). It was a quick stop and thank goodness because our next stop was a difficult 3 1/2 hour or so tramp (hike to us Americans) to Lake Marian. It was a tough one with lots of steep climbs and rocky paths but worth it when we arrived at the lake. As, I lay on the rock formed perfectly to serve as my makeshift lounge I looked up and saw the mountains and blue sky surrounding us. The water of the lake was crystal clear and cool (good for our weary feet and hot sweaty faces). That is one thing that is consistently beautiful here in New Zealand, the clearest water with varying colors of blue to entice you.

We did make it out and drove from there back through Te Anau to arrive in Manapouri for the night before our kayak trip in Doubtful Sound. When we arrived at Freestone Backpackers we encountered the owner of the hostel, Jimmy, singing Elvis Karaoke pretty much by himself in the main living room. He was funny but we were too tired to join in the revelry (my friend Dudley will be disappointed in me but I just couldn't do it without her!). Beautiful landscaped area with cute cabins and he let us have one all to ourselves, too bad we couldn't stay another night we might have been singing some John Denver if Carrie had to choose. :)

Next morning was an early start, 6:30 a.m. at Adventure Kayak & Cruise for our trip to Doubtful Sound by boat, bus, boat/kayak and home in the evening. The boat across Lake Manapouri was fun (I always love being on the water) and it is the 2nd largest and 5th deepest of the lakes in NZ. A fairly short bus ride through a windy road down to another boat ride to Deep Cove (time to pull on the cute wet suits). A mini kayak instruction and off we went in our kayak with the small group of fellow travelers (10 including the guide). Carrie took the first turn steering and did a nice job. It was really peaceful there, we only encountered one other kayak group (and they were always on the opposite side of the fjord) and saw one bigger tour boat. Doubtful Sound is much wider and deeper then Milford Sound (and less crowded evidently).

Exciting moment was the visit from a group of dusky dolphins swimming around us. The peace and beauty of this natural environment was overwhelming. And the highest rock face climbed so high you strained your neck looking at the top. Also, we kayaked by a seal lazing on the rocks - no swimming for him with us tourists ruining his play area! I took my turn at steering after our lunch break on the main boat. It wasn't too cold but enough to keep us chickens from taking a dip in the sound! :( It was worth the money to have experienced the peace of the water, mountains, and marine life!

We got home around 6ish and the rain came at us hard on our backs as the boat brought us back. Just in time to jump in the car and go ahead and drive on to stay with our friend Steve and his family in Dunedin. He offered for us to come that evening instead and we just trucked on with a quick food stop in Gore (I have to admit we ate Kentucky Fried Chicken, yikes I don't even eat that at home!).