Milford Sound

Milford Sound, often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, was carved by glaciers thousands of years ago during the ice ages. Initially, it seemed as though Milford Sound would never be found. The great explorer Captain Cook sailed past the entrance to Milford Sound, not just once, but twice. Eventually, John Grono, a Welsh explorer from Milford Haven, came upon the sound. He was so stunned by its beauty, he named it after his hometown. Years after Grono’s exploration, another Welshman paid a visit to Milford Sound. John Lort Stokes decided to do away with the name Milford Haven, and so the name Milford Sound was born. Milford Sound is actually a fjord that was mistakenly named a sound by early European explorers.

Just a 10-minute boat journey across Deepwater Basin in Milford Sound we arrive to Sandfly Point (more about sandflies later) to take a 3 hour walk on the famous Milford Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Considered "the finest walk in the world," the trail winds through thick beech forest, ferns and vines, over rocks and through streams, we arrive at a swinging bridge and Giant Gates Falls. Only 40 people per day are allowed on the track – glad we had made our reservations months ago! To walk the entire length takes 4 days with camping huts available along the way. Though we don’t see many birds we hear many various birds singing in the trees, and taste and smell the fresh mountain air.

Back on shore we share a quick lunch and hop aboard a scenic boat cruise to experience the grandeur of Milford Sound, surrounded by dense rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and cascading waterfalls. The boat took us all the way out past the mouth of the fiord into the Tasman Sea, close to seals basking in the sun and up close and personal to the mighty Lady Bowen Falls.

After a big day at Milford Sound we spend the night at the quiet village of Manapouri. Lake Manapouri is NZ’s 2nd deepest lake and has NZ’s largest hydroelectric power station. Located deep underground, it is one of NZ’s greatest engineering achievements. We also went to church in Manapouri with Mark & Patty who were our neighbors the inn – The Church Bar & Café’ had great beer and fish ‘n chips. My kind of church!

New Zealand proudly claims to be free of dangerous animals – no snakes, no crocodiles, no lions, no animals out to eat you – but they don’t mention sandflies, the most terrible little creatures in NZ. Tiny black flies, if you don’t prepare you can get eaten alive, and trust me, their bites itch for days and they have a special knack for finding any exposed skin possible. These little blood-sucking devil creatures are about 1/3 the size of your average mosquito. Like tourists, they congregate in the most beautiful areas of NZ.

Glad we're not camping! XOXOXOXO Gma & Gpa