New Zealand has many beautiful areas. During our 7.5 hour drive to Milford Sound we passed Lake Te Anau and drove through the 3/4 mile engineering wonder, Homer Tunnel … it was drilled through solid rock! We stopped a few times on our drive in Fiordland National Park. This bird caught everyone’s attention … it is a kea.

Finally we arrived at Milford Sound. This is an iconic place. I had seen photos from here through the ages and now I am boarding a ship for an overnight cruise of the sound. It was Rudyard Kipling who dubbed Milford Sound as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The water, the waterfalls and Mitre Peak all add to a spectacular sight!

While I wished to jump on a tender or kayak to have another water experience off the ship we are on, I did not. No regrets as I learn more about my own body with this patch behind my ear to help me not be motion sick. I want to enjoy this experience and scene, get a good night’s sleep on the ship and feel great in the morning! Of course, the one crazy thing I will never do is jump in the very cold water. Our guide and driver did! 40 degrees Fahrenheit, no way! Such craziness …

Our ship, Milford Mariner, can sleep 64 passengers and we have only 50 which is wonderful. We move around with ease. I love my room. There’s plenty of food provided. Twenty minutes before dinner there was food, and a bar to order drinks, then a buffet dinner with many flavorful foods. Desserts were delicious too. After the naturalist’s program, it was time to check out the dark sky. Well the moon had a good shine, so only the Southern Cross and a few constellations were easy to identify. Unfortunately, by 10:30 pm I saw no aurora and decided to hit the sack.

Breakfast at 6:45am: continental choices, 7:00 hot meals, and 7:30 we are to be done with breakfast. We were to gather our items and keep our bag on one side of the room as staff come through to start room cleaning. This ship has a couple of day sight-seeing tours and another overnight so this staff keeps to a schedule to have all ready as needed. Their service was fantastic!

After our breakfast, the morning boat ride was to the Tasman Sea but the captain decided not to go into it as the swells were good-sized. But we did move closer to the shore where I was able to spot a fur seal and 2 Fiordland penguins, also called yellow-crested penguins. That was great!

Long ride to Queenstown, check in at hotel, dinner and a few of us went to Smith’s Brewery. The Cassel’s milk stout was good. I will admit I think I drank as much beer as wine while in New Zealand.

My time at Milford Sound was great … a sunny day on arrival and the next morning a gray day with waterfalls really flowing. It was all good even with the long drive before and after. The beauty of the area will remain in my memory for a long time.