Milford Sound

The trip to and from Milford Sound is about 2 hours each way. Along the way one drives through glacial plains and in between huge steep mountains. We have been to the Alps, Rockies, and Andes. These are THE steepest mountains we have ever seen! It is raining a bit today. Waterfalls cascade from the entire mountain face. They are too numerous to photograph. 

Along the way we stop at Mirror Lake with not much mirroring effect. 

And stop for a short walk along a boardwalk through what looks like a rainforest.

And spy some perfect mirroring and make an unscheduled stop. Conditions are perfect for reflections.

Scenic beauty everywhere!

In this picture water is cascading off the mountain in at least six places. Most of it from rain but some might be from the snow in the upper part of the picture.

This is not snow but glacial ice.

We must pass through a very long and very steep single lane tunnel on the final leg to Milford Sound. Our driver informs us that it was once two lanes until a bus got stuck in the tunnel. Given the space on both sides of the bus that is difficult to comprehend.

Exiting the tunnel and dropping down into Milford Sound the scenery remains gorgeous.

We stop at "The Chasm". There is a short but pretty walk to the attraction which is a significant drop of a small river through a 'chasm'. The walk is uphill and gorgeous and serves as the day's exercise.

"The Chasm" is a huge disappointment. The path splits in two near the attraction. The lower bridge of the river is closed. Perhaps it might have afforded a view of the chasm. From the upper path, you can see the river, hear the drop of the water through the chasm, but you don't see anything.

Milford Sound is the #1 tourist attraction in all of New Zealand, there are heeps of tourists, this being Easter weekend. We board a boat for a cruise.

Shortly after departure, we see this waterfall, or is it. Heavy rains have waterfalls cascading off the entire breadth of the mountains.

The cruise passes through the sound observing waterfalls and animal life. Some take pictures of dolphins. Most huddle inside protected from the rain. A rainbow shows when the sun breaks through for a short time.

The return is a quiet one. Many on the bus, us included sleep most of the way making the two-hour trip pass quickly.