Hump Ridge Track and Milford Sound
The next morning brushing my teeth at Port Craig, I looked out to the warmest, most stunning sunrise and thought this really is a loo with a view. It goes to show, you should always be armed with your camera.
Next stop was the iconic Milford Sound, but first a invigorating jet boat ride and a two hour drive.
The Wairaurahiri Jet
took us 27 kilometres up grade three rapids. I'm not sure what it was, but speeding up that river, with the wind and rain in my face, passing Jurassic Park like scenery was a soulful experience and a definite highlight. I loved it!
Photographing inside the Jurassic Park was a whole different story. Quite challenging with limited light in the dense native bush. But the trick with photourism is to make the best of what you've got. Clive taught us that there's no such thing as bad weather. Even with cloud and rain, you can create moody shots that tell a story of your experience. In retrospect, I would much rather this than the postcard shot everyone else has in their albums.
After another jaunt along the western side of the Southern Scenic Route, we reached Te Anau, the gateway to our final destination – Milford Sound.
After a night in Te Anau of more good food, we flew into the mighty Milford Sound. On a normal day, we could have driven there exploring the spectacular Milford highway, but not this time, after a landslide took out a large section of this mountainous road. Instead the guide we'd booked to drive us (www.tripsntramps.co.nz) climbed aboard our chopper and showed us the highlights from the air.
This was one of the greatest experiences of my life! Add it to your life list!
There's something about choppers. As it ducked and dived around the mountains surrounding Milford, I thought to myself there really is no sexier way to travel!
Once in Milford, we boarded the Real Journey's boat for a tour of this serene rainbow-infested landscape. Milford is renowned for rain but again this creates perfect photo opportunities including plentiful waterfalls.
All this rain reminded me of an observation I'd kept to myself until now. I had started to think that all New Zealand showers are made for hobbits! Being six foot something I yearned for a water blasting and after voicing this to the crew… I got one. The Real Journey's Skipper moved the boat so close to waterfalls I was literally showering in them. Frodo Baggins would have drowned!
That spectacular sunrise – always pays to have your camera handy.
Clive and Camilla onboard The Wairaurahiri Jet, a real highlight for me.
Getting a blasting at Stirling Falls, – one of Milford Sound's permanent waterfalls. p>
As Clive said there is no such thing as bad weather. These waterfalls are the result of the frequent rain in Milford Sound..
Flying above Fiordland National Park in what can only be described as the best helicopter ride of my life. Truly breathtaking.
Real Journeys overnight and nature cruise vessel the Milford Mariner
Take your breath away views as we flew into Milford Sound
The iconic Mitre Peak emerging from the cloud in Milford Sound.
Flying over snow dusted peaks in Fiordland National Park. Seriously the best helicopter ride of my life
Clive overlooking one of many Milford Sound waterfalls.
It's impossible to show the scale of these glaciated valleys in Fiordland National Park
