We woke up to a WOW dawn and it was all uphill from there - we were off early for a day's cruise in Doubtful Sound. The Sound, like the better known Milford Sound, is part of the south west Fiordland National Park. It gets its name from Captain Cook's exploration of New Zealand, when he said it was 'doubtful' that a harbour could be built in the Sound because of the strong westerly winds.
Checked in by 0730 we were off for our cruise, Nikki having taken her 'just in case' Stugeron! Before we could start the cruise we had to cross Lake Manapouri and then a coach across the Wilmot Pass.
This is the only way to access Doubtful Sound by road. The coaches are taken across Lake Manapouri on a barge and ply the tourist trade between the lake and cruise ships in the Sound. Even the coaches are patriotic with their kiwi radiator grills.
Looking down on the Sound from the Wilmot Pass.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't at its best, in fact it was typical for this part of NZ so the photos don't show the Sound at its full glory - indeed the scale of the mountainous landscape and the WOW factor are almost impossible to capture with our small camera but here is a selection from the 200 plus we downloaded yesterday
To Nikki's great delight it was decided not to venture out of the Sound into the Tasman Sea given the sea state in the strong westerly winds
On the way up the Sound we stumbled on 3 small Blue Penguins going about their daily business - quite a special occasion that was not quite captured in the photograph.
On the return trip over the Wilmot Pass there was an opportunity to see the Lake Manapouri hydro-electric plant. A tunnel dug through the mountain from the Lake to Doubtful Sound drops 180 metres and drives the power station. All underground with roads that can carry coaches it is a brilliant engineering achievement.
On the way back the sun finally came out.
Love these photos! Obviously Nikki is smiling at the superb views and tuning her back on the lumpy water!!! As would I! Van looks bijou but big enough! Is the bed comfy?
ReplyDeleteCountryfile are doing a programme on Portland... Do the walk again but with us in tow this summer? Marie stopes and other remarkable inhabitants! Yes indeed!
So...I'm awaiting more food descriptions.... I have just had a wonderfully relaxing and indulgent half term. Remember I'm easily pleased! Amazing new chocolate place in swanage and shopping at gunwharf. Wemiht go to the lake district this summer...? Looking at your beautiful photos.... Its as close as we get? Thanks fir keeping us posted...its really good fun to see ! Stay well. Xxxx. Isabel
Yes to Portland, it was a super walk. A bit tame compared to what we're doing now but lovely nonetheless. Lake District definitely describes the area we are in now around Queenstown. That and highlands of Scotland, lots of Scottish influence. Off to climb Ben Lomond in fact after breakfast. Glad you're enjoying the photos - means we don't have to bore everyone silly when we get back. You can say you've seen them all!
DeleteIs Stugeron the technical term for a bucket? Nikki looks shrammed - and I wouldn't want to venture out in the Tasman Sea either! But you're clearly loving it, Colin!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and eloquent prose - we must get our act together and do the Sounds, especially as we are so, relatively, close. :-)
ReplyDelete