Milford Sound
December 31st, 2012 at 9:00 am by David FarrarIn Queenstown for New Years, staying with a friend. The last time I was here, I had the nonovirus and spent it in the bathroom of my hotel room. So far, has been much more enjoyable this time.
On Saturday headed to Milford Sounds on the Milford Sound Select Bus. Not normally a big bus person, but this was a great trip. The driver was superb – knowledgeable and friendly, and we had lots of stops for photos.
<a Lake Wakatipu just out of Queenstown.
On the road from Te Anau to Milford. Spectacular field. They must have shot some movie scenes here at some stage.
The hills reflected at Mirror Lakes.
Note the way the sign is written so it only makes sense in the reflection.
A field of lupins.
One of the many bush covered valleys heading into Milford Sound.
A small waterfall.
At one of the stops, there was a kea. He happily walked around in front of everyone and then without concern, jumped up onto a car behind and started nibbling at the rubber around their window.
Mr Kea then jumped onto the roof for an even better perch.
The lower end of the mighty chasm.
And the upper end. Not a place to try going over in a barrel!
At Milford Sound, we went out on a boat. It was pretty wet but the seals didn’t mind.
A bit of rain on the lens, but still a nice shot of the greenery that grows on often sheer cliff faces there.
Advancing towards the falls.
And then the boat approaches them head on and pushes the bow just under the falls, nicely spraying those of us up on top.
Was a great day. I’ve been to Milford Sound a couple of times before, but it never gets old. Has reinforced my determination to do the Milford Track in the next couple of years.
On the bus trip back to Queenstown, they played The World’s Fastest Indian. I’d not got around to watching it previously. Was a very appropriate film to view in Southland.
Related posts:
- Wednesday Wallpaper | Milford Sound, Fiordland
- The road to Milford
- Milford Gondola
- Wednesday Wallpaper | Doubtful Sound Reflections
December 31st, 2012 at 9:07 am
Beautiful countryside. We don’t need all this pathetic ‘Middle Earth’ bullshit to get tourists…just show them these incredible places!
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 9:48 am
Except they are not lupins but Foxgloves. Can be forgiven as both come in either blue or yellow flowers but lupins tend to branch whereas foxgloves are a single stem like the ones in your pic.
Vote:Nice pics.
December 31st, 2012 at 10:50 am
They are lupins
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 10:51 am
See http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Lake-Tekapo-Lupins-600px.jpg
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 10:56 am
Lupin.
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 11:22 am
Thanks for the reminder why some of us choose to stay in this beautiful country despite its faults.
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 11:53 am
belinda
Tectonic faults?
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Nope foxgloves.
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Ah, South Island type lupins. Nothing like North Island type lupins. Gardners best friend.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10679046
As opposed to being a pes tlike these ones.
Vote:http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/weeds/common-weeds-in-new-zealand/russell-lupin/
December 31st, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Apologies for getting my flowers mixed.
Foxgloves.
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=foxgloves&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gAbhUIeyG4vImAWFz4HYCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEkQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=592
Perhaps you can see the likeness?
https://www.google.co.nz/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=1&gs_ri=hp&tok=iPm6RNonSxTuUH2iQvyRvA&cp=9&gs_id=a4&xhr=t&q=foxgloves&pf=p&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&oq=foxgloves&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.dGY&fp=99eab588ee0fc850&bpcl=40096503&biw=1024&bih=592
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Viking,such a petal.
Vote:December 31st, 2012 at 11:01 pm
There is a river in the Eglington “field” where the brown trout quietly blend with the bottom rubble, and explode into fight upon the prick of the fly.
One of this countries fabulous places.
Vote:January 1st, 2013 at 7:58 am
Set a date now for that Milford Track trek, DPF. In later years you will come to treasure it as an unusually fulfilling experience in an adventurous lifetme.
Vote:January 3rd, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Farrar your driver was Lester Hamilton, a friend of mine.
Vote:I told him you had a good time