Gore, Te Anau Milford Sound Feb 1-3,2015

Gore, Te Anau, Milford Sound NZ Feb 1-3,2015 We bid a reluctant good bye to Shona and Brian McLennan at Hokonui B and B and headed west. After 10 miles we came upon a flying center which specializes in restoring Tiger Moth biplanes . After a tour with Laurie of the restoration shed , Bert decided he wanted a ride and off he went for a joyride with Ben. He was outfitted with head gear and jacket and strapped into the front seat of this 1930 open air cockpit. they flew for 10 minutes and landed on the grass airfield in a light rain. very cool. the Kiwis are so laid back about things like this. Bert didn't have to sign his life away, or sit through a class. Just get in the plane and hand over the $95 NZD. Wish I had gone as well. After checking into the Parkland Motel in Te Anau we hit the supermarket and did wash in preparation for the next day which was a drive through the fjord lands and mountains to Milford Sound one of the highlights of any trip to NZ. It is 120 KIlometers through pristine landscape. first the meadow and lakes with sheep and dairy cows. then the mountains start to rise on either side. Then snow appears . The Homer tunnel is a hand dug 1 lane cut through a huge mountain about 70 years ago. It also has a 10% grade and goes 1 km. You takes turns at a traffic light on each side. The terminus of the road is a fjord which is magnificent. We booked the 9am Miter Peak boat for a 2 hour tour through the fjord all the way to the end which is the Tasman Sea. Only 9 of us on the boat which holds 75 so it was awesome . We passed innumerable waterfalls , hundreds and hundreds of them all falling from 500 to 1000 feet almost straight down. Our small boat could maneuver right under them and we got soaked a few times. We also saw fur seals lazing away on the rocks. Wonderful experience. On the way back out of the gorge we took several hikes to smaller falls and gorges. We even drove a dirt road to an old miners camp. Called Gunn's Camp , it is not really restored and those who pay the $65 a night live in tiny ancient cabins with coal stoves as in the 1930s. Not for me! Tried to find the Kea parrots but no luck. tonight I,just walked all over Te Anau. It is a hikers town , beside an enormous lake surrounded on all sides by high mountains. It would be hard to find a more magnificent setting. This has to be the cleanest country I have ever seen. When you look into a stream or lake , it is absolutely clear and works as a mirror when trying to take a picture of it. A very appealing country. Sent from my iPa🐪