SPL#2 - NZ Trip (1-11Nov 07) Day 5
DAY 5 - NOV 5, 2007
It sounds crazy trying to do this in such cold conditions, but since our motel was just a two minute walk to the lakefront, we thought we'd rise early to take a morning stroll by the lake.
So we woke up at 6.30am on this cold and misty morning, navigated our way to the lakefront in the semi-darkness and were greeted by blasts after blasts of cold wind. It may have been much warmer, but with the strong gusts of wind it truly felt like winter.
Fifteen minutes was all we could bear before we dashed back to the motel. Although I didn't have a great appetite as I was not used to having such early breakfasts, I very much welcomed the hot cereal my father prepared after spending that fifteen minutes outdoors.
Then 10am came along and we checked out of the motel. But because our Real Journeys coach would only arrive at the motel around noontime we had 2 hours to spare. So we went once again to the lakeside for more photos and to enjoy the scenery, basically.
Around 12.15pm, our coach, a specially designed bus with roofs made of glass so tourists like us could fully enjoy the magnificent views en route to Milford Sound, finally picked us up at our motel and off we were!
It was a 3 hour drive north to Milford Sound. If it were a direct drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, it wouldn't even have taken 2 hours. But for our sakes our coach driver decided to make several photo stops along the way, like Mirror Lakes and The Chasm for example. We also had the opportunity to stop by a small stream and fill our water bottles with natural spring water which tasted like fresh mineral water. Sure was value added stuff I didn't get on my last NZ trip!
Upon arrival at Milford Sound, we went through some registration procedures and then waited for our turn to board our vessel, the Milford Wanderer. As you can see from the pictures, the Milford Wanderer isn't a cruise ship but a mid-sized vessel equipped with just the basics.
Our ship left dock at 4.30pm and the first event on the overnight cruise was an introduction by the skipper, plus a safety briefing. Hot mushroom soup was served shortly after, and many probably welcomed the hot soup after being battered by the wind at the docking area earlier. But I didn't because the soup tasted so buttery, and I gave my portion to my mother just after one sip.
Thereafter, we were led to our cabins. To our surprise, our cabin had no doors!! But it wasn't just our cabin, ALL the cabins had no doors. The cabin area was also very cramped, with each bed just about half the size of a super-single mattress.
Brushing aside the thoughts of spending the night in a cramped cabin, we then proceeded to the lounge area and were greeted by an announcement: water activities would be commencing in ten minutes and everybody had the choice of either paddling around in the kayaks or joining the tour in the tender craft.
Meryl wanted to kayak but we thought it wouldn't be safe for someone her age, so we opted for the speedboat tour. In any case, the demand for the kayaks was overwhelming so they didn't have enough kayaks for everybody.
Touring the surroundings in a speedboat meant we were exposed to the elements, and exposed to the elements meant it was going to be very cold, but it was a good thing our guide had the initiative not to speed, else it would have been even colder. On the boat, he gave us insights into the geological aspects of Milford Sound, and it's flora and fauna.
Thirty minutes later we were back in the Milford Wanderer, ready for dinner. On the menu tonight - Lamb Chops. Oh goodness, how dreadful! Both my sister and I don't consume mutton! So we asked if they had something else in store and boy were we lucky - they only had 2 pieces of chicken breasts left and since we asked they said we could have them for dinner! Along with the main course we had some really delicious fruit crumble pies and chocolate chip ice cream. Still thinking about it now, you know?!
It sounds crazy trying to do this in such cold conditions, but since our motel was just a two minute walk to the lakefront, we thought we'd rise early to take a morning stroll by the lake.
A beautiful morning
So we woke up at 6.30am on this cold and misty morning, navigated our way to the lakefront in the semi-darkness and were greeted by blasts after blasts of cold wind. It may have been much warmer, but with the strong gusts of wind it truly felt like winter.
Fifteen minutes was all we could bear before we dashed back to the motel. Although I didn't have a great appetite as I was not used to having such early breakfasts, I very much welcomed the hot cereal my father prepared after spending that fifteen minutes outdoors.
Looks so good you can smell it, can't ya?
Then 10am came along and we checked out of the motel. But because our Real Journeys coach would only arrive at the motel around noontime we had 2 hours to spare. So we went once again to the lakeside for more photos and to enjoy the scenery, basically.
Lake Te Anau
Sure wish that boat was ours
Trees swaying lazily in the wind
Around 12.15pm, our coach, a specially designed bus with roofs made of glass so tourists like us could fully enjoy the magnificent views en route to Milford Sound, finally picked us up at our motel and off we were!
Mirror Lakes
It is truly a mirror, isn't it?
It was a 3 hour drive north to Milford Sound. If it were a direct drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, it wouldn't even have taken 2 hours. But for our sakes our coach driver decided to make several photo stops along the way, like Mirror Lakes and The Chasm for example. We also had the opportunity to stop by a small stream and fill our water bottles with natural spring water which tasted like fresh mineral water. Sure was value added stuff I didn't get on my last NZ trip!
The Chasm
That's where a thirsty man goes to quench his thirst
And yet another photo stop
Upon arrival at Milford Sound, we went through some registration procedures and then waited for our turn to board our vessel, the Milford Wanderer. As you can see from the pictures, the Milford Wanderer isn't a cruise ship but a mid-sized vessel equipped with just the basics.
The Milford Wanderer
Side view
Our ship left dock at 4.30pm and the first event on the overnight cruise was an introduction by the skipper, plus a safety briefing. Hot mushroom soup was served shortly after, and many probably welcomed the hot soup after being battered by the wind at the docking area earlier. But I didn't because the soup tasted so buttery, and I gave my portion to my mother just after one sip.
One of the many waterfalls
A closer look
Thereafter, we were led to our cabins. To our surprise, our cabin had no doors!! But it wasn't just our cabin, ALL the cabins had no doors. The cabin area was also very cramped, with each bed just about half the size of a super-single mattress.
Brushing aside the thoughts of spending the night in a cramped cabin, we then proceeded to the lounge area and were greeted by an announcement: water activities would be commencing in ten minutes and everybody had the choice of either paddling around in the kayaks or joining the tour in the tender craft.
Whatever the activity, lifejackets are mandatory!
Meryl wanted to kayak but we thought it wouldn't be safe for someone her age, so we opted for the speedboat tour. In any case, the demand for the kayaks was overwhelming so they didn't have enough kayaks for everybody.
Touring the surroundings in a speedboat meant we were exposed to the elements, and exposed to the elements meant it was going to be very cold, but it was a good thing our guide had the initiative not to speed, else it would have been even colder. On the boat, he gave us insights into the geological aspects of Milford Sound, and it's flora and fauna.
Good day skipper! And off we go!
Thirty minutes later we were back in the Milford Wanderer, ready for dinner. On the menu tonight - Lamb Chops. Oh goodness, how dreadful! Both my sister and I don't consume mutton! So we asked if they had something else in store and boy were we lucky - they only had 2 pieces of chicken breasts left and since we asked they said we could have them for dinner! Along with the main course we had some really delicious fruit crumble pies and chocolate chip ice cream. Still thinking about it now, you know?!
After dinner and for the rest of that evening we engaged ourselves in some card games. And with that we bid goodbye to the 5th of November.
posted by dlauposer | 9:05 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home