Hey All,

Yesterday, myself and my travelling friend Anderson got up early and took a coach to Milford Sound. It was about a 5 hour drive so I was prepared for a long day.

Got up. Had Breakfast and got on the coach and then spent an hour picking up various other people in Queenstown. That was kinda annoying but at least we were first and got the front seats!

We then continued down the Remarkables mountain range, where the huge ski field is, (named Remarkables because they run almost perfectly due north-south). We then conitnued through the country to Te Anau. It was absolutely gorgeous with the greens, yellows, and oranges of fall mixed with the mountains, rain, and clouds.

I am confident that the pictures don’t even do the area justice.

We got to Te Anau and went to a small country store. We only had a few minutes there but I tried Sausage Rolls, becuase I hadn’t before. They were average.

We continued along the lakes of the Fjordland Region. Because we were in the front seats, I talked to the driver a lot and he provided good commentary.

The road was wicked with lots of constuction people maintaining it and floods in some parts. It was raining quite hard by this time.

(Sorry this is really choppy I am having trouble thinking, mainly because I am tired, I haven’t taken a day just for myself in awhile, and because I still have a lot of variables for my trip to Stewart Island tommorrow)

We approached the Homer Tunnel which takes you to Milford Sound. It was cool, one way traffic, and very very steep. The entire road and tunnel area is a full time job to keep open as in the Winter they can have 20+ feet of avalanche snow cover the roadway.

It kept raining, but it was still very beautiful scenery with the granite mountains, amazing number of waterfalls, and grey clouds. It would have been even more beautiful on the uncommon clear day.

We got down to this very nice terminal, paid (I had a $20 coupon ), and boarded the boat. It was of average size for passenger crew and there was a top observation deck. It was raining moderate to hard at times.

We set off exploring the sounds and just being awed at the natural beauty of the sound. (It should actually be a Fjord, which means cut by glacier, but was ill named by the first explorers). I spent a long time getting wet up top and looking out. I had on all of my waterproof gear, so it really wasn’t too terrible. Others had no gear and stayed inside a lot.

We made it around the sound and then towards the opening toward the Tasman Sea (In b/w Australia and NZ). The waves here were massive and reminded me of Deadliest Catch! They were very fun, but we soon turned around to complete the circuit.

There were more beatiful falls and one amazing sheer granite wall. We then went in towards the largest volume waterfall in the sound and everyone cleared the decks but myself and 2 others up top.

There was a lot of water but it was amazing the feeling of the water and looking up. It was totally worth it.

We then finished the tour and reboarded the coach. I went ahead to claim the good seats. We got wonderful scenery on the way back to Queenstown and then stopped for dinner (@ 4 PM) and I got some ice cream. We reboarded the bus and then watch the World’s Fastest Indian on the bus’s TV. It was really good and I reccommend it.

Upon arriving back in QT Anderson went to use internet and I went to some Tourist shops for gifts. We then met back at the Hostel and made dinner, pasta and sauce. We then had a nice conversation with some UK Girls, so that was nice.

Back in the room were the Taiwanese roommates who were a lot older than I though (28) but were very nice. I had to repack my backpack for today (I am getting quite good at it) and then went to bed.

Also, while in QT was able to do laundry so I don’t smell funky!

Anyways I am going to Stewart Island tmmrw til Saturday so I will be out of touch!

I wish all of you the best!

-Mathias