Wanaka to Milford Sound

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Tuesday 26th October: Up and out for brekkie overlooking the beautiful lake Wanaka. The sun is shining and this is the first day in New Zealand that feels like Summer. We decided that we're running a bit short on time, so instead of driving for a few days to see Milford Sound, we booked a flight from Wanaka over the Southern Alps and into Milford. We had to share our private jet with another couple, which was just not what backpackers of our standards expect!! This is the way to see New Zealand scenery - it was such a clear day and the lakes look really blue, even from 10000 feet. Dave allowed his co-pilot,Dean, to sit in the front with him, and I nestled in the tail with the machine gun.
Dave reckons this is the best thing we've done all holiday, but we'll leave the pictures to speak for themselves.

We landed at Milford to take a cruise through the Sound. Han nipped back inside the boat for 5 minutes when Dave spotted dolphins again. I'm beginning to think he's either the Pied Piper or he's making it up (or otherwise I just have a reverse Dr Doolittle effect going on). This is reinforced when we stopped at a seal colony which I missed entirely because I was searching for my phone to take photos of aforementioned seals.

Back into the plane for the flight back to Wanaka. The plane was flown by a Captain Dario Watson, while the co-pilot Dean gave a commentary about the mountains, glaciers and rivers below.

Lovely flight, and after going through baggage reclaim and passport control (not), we headed back in the car and took a midway overnight stop at Omaramu before heading to Kaikoura.

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Comments

[Rosi]

Bloody brilliant!

[Lucy]

AMAZING photos. We didn't get to see The Sound weather too bad, though we did see the lupins. Keep trekking you two mad, brave adventurers. x x x

[The ancient One]

Mythical creatures and hats
Relooking at your photos of walking on Fox Glacier, I was taken aback by the photo of the Water Moulin. Have another look yourself because either it is a strange rock formation at the end of the tunnel or you have managed to capture a picture of the legendary New Zealand Ice Yeti. Well done you if it is the latter or Specsavers for me if the former. Like the yellow hat Dave. What do the initials AGW stand for? Action Gungho Watson perhaps!