Te Anau

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Hello hello. We have done a lot in the past couple days. Where to begin. Well we left Dunedin on the 15th and drove about 4 hours west to Te Anau. It is beautifully situated by Lake Te Anau, clever name, and the main departure point for Milford Sound.
We stayed in a hostel that had incredible views of the valley and the mountains and if that wasn't enough there was also a deer farm right outside our room. It was ridiculously beautiful. After settling in and playing some free billiards, we took a nice stroll along the lake and learned that some of the water was released into an adjacent lake by use of gravity, which generated power. Ecologically it is a perfect system because the water from the second lake travels back to the ocean where it evaporates and becomes snow on top of a mountain above Lake Te Anau. I don't think I have to explain the rest for you to know that it is a completely natural system of generating power. Cool stuff.
The next day we drove out to Milford Sound to catch our 2 hr nature cruise of the area. The drive to Milford was awe inspiring. I really don't have any other word to describe the whole experience of the area, other than I was awestruck by my surroundings. Never before have i seen such dramatic landscape. We drove through a valley, most likely carved out by a glacier, between snow capped mountains that reached 5500 ft and waterfalls that would cascade down the mountain side, culminating into a raging river. And this was before we got to the cruise.
The nature cruise itself was fantastic. We were lucky enough to get a nice sunny day with a few spots of clouds as we explored the Sound. Which we learned is actually mis titled. It should be called a Milford's Fjord, because a fjord is a series of valleys carved out by glaciers, which is what Milford Sound is, whereas Marlborough Sound, is technically a sound because its valleys were carved by rivers.
Anyway, we were treated to a beautiful snow peaked mountain range as we traveled through the sound. Not to mention 100 ft waterfalls that landed on our boat while the mist made rainbows off the bow. On top of that we saw some yellow crested penguins and a bunch of seals. I was humbled and inspired by the shear beauty before me. Nature has never had such an effect on me like this.
Damn. I have to load my photos and leave. I still need to post about the glowworm cave and a couple hikes we have done. I'll try to do that as soon as possible.

Daniel

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Comments

[Mom]

Stunning view out back
What time of day did you take those shots of the mountains out back? Where did your hostel lay in relation to the lake and mountains? You may blow up "The view outside our back door in Te Anau" for me so I can have that on a wall. Dad and I just watched part of an HD travel film about New Zealand. The deer farms have been part of what has replaced about one-third of the sheep farming over the past 20 years, due to declining profits in sheep farming. Is this the hostel you cleaned as work for room/board? What were your jobs? I can't wait to hear about your hikes? Love you, Mom

[Kam the man]

wow, best pictures to date. I particularly like 3 and 5 best. looks amazing, is it cold?

[Paul (Dad)]

Hey Dan.......great pics. I've been looking forward to your travels to this area of the south island. We just saw a special focusing on the south island, and one comment by a traveler was that you "must experience it in person as pictures and words just don't do it justice, it's indescribable"........one of these days! We just received the latest National Geographic and it includes an article about the albatross and mentioned some areas in New Zealand where they nest (as noted in your previous post). Such an amazing bird.......have you seen any flying? Hard to miss with up to an 11.5' wingspan! If you get a chance, read more about these grand birds......too many interesting details to note here. Take care......love, Dad