Milford Sound

Well I said I wasn’t going to update today. Circumstances have changed and I have got back about 3 hours ahead of the rest of the tour. I decided as this was a unique experience for myself to take a flight back from Milford Sound. More of that in a bit, but I have to say that the trip down to Milford was incredible. It was probably because I wasn’t driving, but faced with glaciers, waterfalls and valleys it was quite moving. We had a little BBQ for lunch in the middle of a forest, then forged onto Milford Sound.
I was sceptical about how two hours could be filled with a boat trip up and down the fiord, but as the man in the orthopaedic shoe once said I stand corrected. We went up the left hand side calling in at coves for photo opportunities, and getting soaked by waterfalls as we went straight underneath. After a brief mission out to the Tasman Sea we began the trek back to the boardwalk. Before docking we called in at a cove where a group of dolphins were making their way out to sea. They came right up to the boat and were very playful.
After docking we were asked if there was anyone who wanted to return to Queenstown via plane for a small (!) fee. I thought that this would be really great, and I wasn’t disappointed. The 8 seater plane (yes, that’s right) actually had more legroom than most international flights Ive been on, but I know which one I would rather fly on. The advantages of sightseeing from a plane were equalled by the pitfalls of hitting your head on the roof of the plane. Just as well it was padded!
Anyway, there’s not much else to say. I’m going out on the Shotover tomorrow, which is a jetboat down the river. Should be fun.
Stay safe
Matt

Queenstown

Hey all from a very cold Queenstown!!
Last night was more sedate than I had hoped, with a pleasant meal at Fishbones. Can you guess what they served? Followed by just a couple of beers and in bed by 10pm. Would you credit it?
I had a well deserved lie-in this morning, following my marathon driving exploits of the past week. After a nice lazy morning I brunched at an elegant café which seats around 30 people called Vudu for a latte (which you could have swum in it was that big), and eggs Benedict which I have to say was a gastronomic treat to say the least. Fully sated, I then went off to book my excursions for the next few days. I’m going to Milford Sound tomorrow, which is about a 12 hour trip. On Sunday its out to the Shotover river for a jetboat ride in the morning then a trip to Arrowtown in the afternoon.
Ideally I wanted to have a ride in the gondola up the mountain this afternoon but its been slightly blustery all day with snow flurries so it was closed. I did however go out on the Earnslaw which is a steamer ship dating back 95 years. You even get to look into the engine room with the blokes shovelling coal.
I got talking to a couple of Americans whilst having a snack about 4pm. They’ve been travelling for about 18 months and were quite interested in the British music scene. We talked for about an hour over a Fergburger and a can of diet Coke. Me and my crazy life eh? All in all a quiet uninteresting day, but I hope Ill have a bit more to bore you with soon. No update tomorrow as I’m out all day, so you can have it all on Sunday.
Durka Durka
M