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Published: January 28th 2011
More goodbyes today and then it's off for some sea kayaking on Milford Sound. There are seven of us plus our guide, Luke. We're in double kayaks and I'm paired with the guide. After gearing up, we jump on a small boat (the Sea Ka) that also carries the kayaks and head out into the Sound.
After dropping the kayaks we jump in (on the water entry) and start paddling. First stop is a little farther out into the Sound to visit some NZ fur seals. It's a small group of adolescent males sleeping on an outcrop of rocks. They smell really bad, but getting up close is pretty fantastic. The scenery is pretty good, too. The cliffs rise up over 500 metres into a clear sky. The only waves are from the cruise boats that pass us by.
Another highlight is Stirling Falls (about 150 metres high). We store hats, sunglasses, and anything else that isn't secured then take turns squaring up to the falls and paddling straight into the base of them. As we close in, the wave and the wind quickly rise, throwing up a spray that stings the face. Luke and I probably got to
about 25-30 feet away before turning back into the Sound. Wild.
About four hours on the water and we're done. Time for me to head away from the Fiordland area. Four hours by bus and I'm back in Queenstown.
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Sea Kayaking - Milford Sound
Kathleen
non-member comment
stunning
I can see why films like Lord of the Rings are shot in NZ!