8th Wonder

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Geo: -44.6684, 167.92

Technically today was a sea day, one of three on the way from Dunedin, NZ to Hobart, Tasmania, AU - our next port.

However, after travelling around the southern tip of NZ and back up the western coast of the south island, we entered Milford Sound, which is actually a fiord, but a spectacular one!!

The drive from Dunedin is over 400 km and takes over 5 hours, past Invercargill on the Southern tip of New Zealand. The trip by sea was overnight.

Milford Sound runs 15km inland from the Tasman Sea, otherwise known as the ditch amongst Aussies and Kiwis. Milford Sound draws between 500,000 and 1M visitors per year and is one of NZ's most visited tourist destinations, despite its remote location within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Rudyard Kipling called it the 8th wonder of the world and no wonder 😊

The fiord is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise approximately 4,000 feet on both sides. The Elephant at 5,000 ft and The Lion (more commonly known as Mt Kimberley) at 4,300 ft also serve as backdrops. Two permanent waterfalls are also prominent - Lady Bowen and Stirling Falls.

I think the captain quite enjoyed himself, as he spun the ship on the spot during heavy winds using the thrusters. Quite incredible considering how large the ship is.

It was very windy, but the decks were crowded taking in the impressive landscapes that surrounded us!

The photos, as in most cases, do not do justice to the scale of this place and the awe it inspires on a beautiful sunny day!

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Photos

Milford Sound Legend
Copyright
http://milfordsoundselect.com/milford-sound/the-cruise-on-milford-sound