Doubtful Sound

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Well it wouldn't be a trip to Fiordland without a cruise on either Doubtful or Milford Sounds. So starting with Doubtful...

Stevie & I booked an overnight cruise on the Tutoko. This involves a 50 min boat trip across Lake Manapouri (good fun in a fast water taxi), then a scenic coach trip along the Wilmot Pass which is an improbable road in beautiful scenery built at great expense for the construction of the Manapouri power station.

The Tutoko was a great boat and there was plenty of space on it for the nine of us (seven passengers, Richard the Skipper and the ever-cheery Niall). The benefits of being on a small boat were immediately apparent as we were warmly welcomed with some chilled bubbly and got underway.

After a bit of cruising and some cheese & biscuits we thought it was about time for dinner so the Skipper got sent overboard to fetch it. After about 20 minutes, Richard came back with his divebag full of crayfish (quite similar to lobster). I then redeemed all my past fishing failures as I pulled about a dozen jock-stewart out of the water and a good size blue cod. The blue cod was what we were after, but the ugly jock-stewart are actually quite tasty too and handily also makes great bait.

So Richard served us a great dinner of battered fish, then crayfish, roast spuds & veg followed by bananas & custard. Many of you will remember that I'm not a sea-food lover but I did eat quite a lot of crayfish and did enjoy it although I'm still far from converted. (Crayfish also cost a fortune in the shops.)

The next morning there was more great scenery, amazing waterfalls, fur seals and then back to Te Anau. Richard gave us a crayfish each as an edible memento! If you get the chance, I highly recommend a trip with him!

Of the other passengers, Caroline who lives in Wanaka and has kindly offered to introduce me to the climbing scene when I pass through there which could should be good preparation for my Alpine skills course in March.

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Photos

Doubtful Sound
Me on the Tutoko boat on the Doubtful Sound