Milford Sounds good to us

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Today we planned to go to Milford Sound, which we had heard is this amazing beautiful place, even in the rain, which was lucky as it was raining, but still clear. So up nice and early for the 2-3 hours drive (120km). On the way we passed through Knobs Flat and some pretty scenery including undulating hill sides with pretty wild flowers and big cliffs with waterfalls and snow topped peaks.
We arrived at Homer Tunnel which has only one lane running through the mountain, the traffic lights change every 15 minutes, and it is just literally carved in the rock. There are no lights in the tunnel and it was all down hill, very scary. We came out the other side to be faced with a steep drop and windy roads.
This part was not an easy drive and our van was flagging a little bit. As we got closer it got cloudier and they were as low as the ground. We were getting a little worried at this point as we had planned to do a cruise the next day, as this is the best way to see the sounds.
When we arrived we were greeted with masses of sandflies and it was tipping it down.
We had our lunch in the van and then braved the outside! We only went out for 5 minutes and were soaked, even with our pac a macs on. So we retreated back to our van wet and demoralised.
Now the plan was to stay at a DOC site, which only has toilets, and the nearest one was 17km away. We didn't fancy hanging about with nothing to do all day waiting to see if it would be worth going on a crusie the next day when it was forecast rain tomorrow.

Eventually we decided to do the long hard drive back to Te Anau.
On the way back we stopped at the chasm which was pretty good. The water had carved out some wonderful smooth shapes in the rocks. When we got back to our van to move on it decided not to start! Now this happens now and again, but this time it was playing silly buggers. It always starts in the morning, no problem, but after a long drive it decides it can't be bothered. So we let it cool down and went for another walk contemplating how we are going to get a phone to call the AA. Got back and started first time! Woo hoo! We think it's when it gets a little warm, but we are unsure as the temperature gauge has never worked.
After a long drive we finally arrived back where we started in Te Anau. Straight to the supermarket for a bottle of wine. That night we had a great meal of home made chips, burgers and spagehtti. At home this would have been a use up the left overs meal, but here it's a real treat! Watched a movie and then bed.

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Photos

Knobs Flat
He's so funny!

Cliff
On the way there were masses of cliffs with water falls. You really can't see how big they are. This was the only good thing about it raining.

Homer Tunnel
There was no sign of Bart!

Comments

[Mandy]

A summer Christmass???
Hiya - so go to see you are keeping up tradition and decorating the van - where's the tree? I went and bought one today 10' tall n smells wonderfully piney (tho that's always a bit bog-freshenerish to my mind!). Soo looking forward to Christmass - must try n e mail you on 25th - where will you be? Your routine n diet sound v brit - where's all that bushtucker nosh?? Love ya - keep on truckin (when the f***er will let you!) Mandy n co