Normal Service Resumed
After Queenstown, the Stray bus departed early for Te Anau and Milford Sound. This was of course good for those who decided that the last night in Queenstown required some kind of effort.
I managed 3:30 am for a 7:30 departure and a trip out to Milford Sound which would be a 12 hour day.
Others stayed later and consequently casualties were numerous and many chose the bed instead of the long road ahead. Of course, this being the South Island, things were very wet indeed but this meant that the valley of a thousand waterfalls was more impressive then usual, it occurs just after the km long Homer Tunnel which allows access to Milford Sound.
I took the $50 NZ cruise for two reasons despite the torrential downpour. The first being to give people breathing space and the second because you might only come here once. They're building a tunnel which will cut out the need to circle round via Queenstown in the near future that would make the journey a lot shorter but the reality is that this place takes commitment to get to.
So we cruised on out, hovered under some waterfalls and lo and behold, the micro climate of New Zealand kicked in and the sun came out. Sometimes, you cross a ridge and descend into a valley on the South Island and it will be bathed in sunshine just after you've received a drenching and a harsh encounter with the breeze from Antartica in the valley before.
Anyone planning to tour the South Island any time of year requires the following:
- Full set of waterproofs
- Swim gear
- Umbrella
I'm not kidding. Do not come here if you can't handle the rain.
So yeah, Milford Sound turned into a beautiful day, we didn't see the reflected mountains on the water that all the postcards of the region focus upon but we saw the start and beginning of many waterfalls and rainbows.
For the most part, I just listened to music and read my book. 2 plus weeks on a bus with a constant stream of new companions has probably taken more of a toll than I had previously acknowledged.
Our own rooms in Te Anau was a nice touch. It gave people a time out from the 8 bed dormitory shuffle which includes, banging doors, all sorts of personal odours, sounds and snores and the extreme sport of getting out of the top bunk. Oh, and don't forget the will I / won't I turn on the light routine.
It was relatively early to bed. And another early start in the morning.
I managed 3:30 am for a 7:30 departure and a trip out to Milford Sound which would be a 12 hour day.
Others stayed later and consequently casualties were numerous and many chose the bed instead of the long road ahead. Of course, this being the South Island, things were very wet indeed but this meant that the valley of a thousand waterfalls was more impressive then usual, it occurs just after the km long Homer Tunnel which allows access to Milford Sound.
I took the $50 NZ cruise for two reasons despite the torrential downpour. The first being to give people breathing space and the second because you might only come here once. They're building a tunnel which will cut out the need to circle round via Queenstown in the near future that would make the journey a lot shorter but the reality is that this place takes commitment to get to.
So we cruised on out, hovered under some waterfalls and lo and behold, the micro climate of New Zealand kicked in and the sun came out. Sometimes, you cross a ridge and descend into a valley on the South Island and it will be bathed in sunshine just after you've received a drenching and a harsh encounter with the breeze from Antartica in the valley before.
Anyone planning to tour the South Island any time of year requires the following:
- Full set of waterproofs
- Swim gear
- Umbrella
I'm not kidding. Do not come here if you can't handle the rain.
So yeah, Milford Sound turned into a beautiful day, we didn't see the reflected mountains on the water that all the postcards of the region focus upon but we saw the start and beginning of many waterfalls and rainbows.
For the most part, I just listened to music and read my book. 2 plus weeks on a bus with a constant stream of new companions has probably taken more of a toll than I had previously acknowledged.
Our own rooms in Te Anau was a nice touch. It gave people a time out from the 8 bed dormitory shuffle which includes, banging doors, all sorts of personal odours, sounds and snores and the extreme sport of getting out of the top bunk. Oh, and don't forget the will I / won't I turn on the light routine.
It was relatively early to bed. And another early start in the morning.
posted by Christophe at 4:12 a.m.
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