Te Anau to Milford Sound
The group decided to do a hike in the morning instead of a short bicyle ride that would have complicated our trip to Milford Sound. We had to pack an overnight bag for the night on the boat, so that we could leave our luggage and the trailer with our bicycles in Te Anau. Without the trailer the bus would have less difficulty travelling over the pass to Milford Sound and we would have more time for making stops on the way.
Our hike in the morning was great. Bas and Craig gave us a nature walk that was beautiful and very informative. Six of us did a 3 mile nature walk with Bas and the other ten did a 12 mile hike with Craig. Cindy and I took the shorter walk and got some great pictures.
After lunch we were on our way to Milford Sound. We made a few stops on the way to enjoy the mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and beautiful scenery. We arrived at the harbor in Milford Sound at about 4:15 and boarded our boat the Milford Mariner. The boat had small state rooms for 64 passengers. The boat went out the sound and there were only a few waterfalls because there hadn't been rain in a couple days. The massive mountain walls of the fiord were amazing. We went all the way out to the Tasman Sea and moured in a small cove. The ships crew broke out two tender boats and kayaks so that we could get a better look and the walls of the fiord and wildlife. Cindy and I opted to take the tender boat ride, needless to say the water was very cold and not our idea of a kayaking adventure. Those that did go on the kayak had a great time. The naturalist on the tender was very informative. After the water activities the boat moved back into the sound to a more protected cove for the night. The evening meal was unbelievable. The nine crew members of the boat were fantastic. Following dinner the naturalist did a slide presentation. We had a great nights sleep and delicious breakfast while the boat move back out the Sea.
Thursday, January 5
It had started raining early in the morning and the waterfalls were flowing and gorgeous. The boat was back in port about 9:30 where Bas met us with the bus and we were headed back to Te Anau. Along the way we had made a couple stops to look at the waterfalls that were not there on our way over yesterday.
We arrived in Te Anau at about 12:00, changed in to bicycling clothes picked up our luggage and the trailer with our bikes. A box lunch in the bus for a short ride to Manapouri where we got on our bikes for a 40 mile ride with significant head winds. We were picked up by the bus for the last 12 miles to Otautau where we met our farm host.
Conrad, Barbara, Steve, Roni, Cindy and I stayed with Jill and Ray Lindsay on their sheep farm. Jill and Ray have about 3000 sheep that are raised primarily for their meat and also sheared them once a year for the wool. They have been very successful, especially over the past couple of years with a steep rise in lamb and wool prices. Ray took us out to the barn and fields and showed us the exquipment for his field planting and sheep shearing. Grunt, their herding dog showed us how he rounded up the sheep and brought them over to the gate. We had a great meal that include lamb and fresh vegetables from the garden.
Friday, January 6
We had a great nights sleep on the farm and a hearty breakfast before Jill and Ray drove us back to Otautau to meet the others and start our bike ride for the day.
We had another perfect day of cycling for 54 miles with a great stop for snacks and lunch. We were in Riverton by about 4:00 so we loaded up the bus to drive the last 12 miles to Invercargill and the Homestead Villa Motel. We did our laundry and are now off to dinner.
Saturday, January 7
Early morning for the bus ride from Invercargill to Bluff to catch the ferry to Stewart Island. No biking today they will stay on the trailer in Bluff with the bus. No cars on Stewart Island except for residents. The ferry ride was about 45 minutes, we dropped our bags off at the hotel and then took a ferry to Ulva Island that is a state preserve. The forest was absolutely beautiful and the birds were great. We were back at the hotel at about 4:00 to relax before dinner.
Tonight we are going over to another island to see Kiwis. They are nocternal to see them we will search for them with flash lights. Tell you more when with my next good internet connection. Not able to load pictures with this connection.
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