Mar 03, 2020

 Because there was well over half a meter of rainfall to the Milford Sound area a week or so ago and catastrophic damage to the roads we were unable to ride to Milford Sound which was our original plan but the road is now open to Bus Convoys so we went in one of those which was also good. After heavy rain overnight the waterfalls were thundering down the cliff faces ravines and valleys which was awesome … and we were all guilty of a nap or two at some stage having had an extra early start given the bus convoy option. Our cruise was lovely even if we didn’t get to see Mitre Peak, instead we saw hundreds and hundreds of waterfalls from what looked like thin ribbons to roaring galloping falls thundering down the hills and spraying water for hundreds of meters. Just wonderful to see. To quote our bus driver, there are higher mountains in the world, but nowhere do they head straight up out of the water. With the wet conditions outside for most of the day most of our memories are in our heads and not on camera.

 

First stop for a stretch.

 

Some falls.

 

Milford Mariner, our ride on the Sound. Was a lovely tidy boat with sleeping accommodation and does night cruises as well.

 

A massive waterfall near the wharf which flows from a glacier which is growing each year. Go figure!

Heading for the tunnel to head through the mountain and back from the west coast to the east coast. The strip in the middle is the roof over the approach to the tunnel and note just how high this is and yet way below the top of the mountain.

 

And we are back out the east side.

 

Heading out over a washout area, note the Dead Slow sign. All single file here.

 

Yet more falls.

 

Nearly back and now the sun comes out … still, should be good for tomorrows ride.