New Zealand - Milford Sound

On New Year's Day, we headed for Milford Sound, one of the famous tourist destinations in New Zealand.  The size and grandeur of this place was evident, however, it was very rainy and cloudy for our entire trip.  Oh well.  We left Te Anua fairly early that morning for our several hour drive into Milford Sound.  There was nothing between these two places, and Milford Sound is nothing more than a wharf where the tourist boats leave from.

On the way, we encountered the Kea.  A friendly bird that like to sit on the car while we waited for the lights at the one lane tunnels through the mountains. Of course, there were also the signs not to feed them.

A picture of the beginning of the tunnel through the mountain.

We made it to Milford Sound.  Family picture.  Notice the water drops, one of which found its way onto my face.

The girls enduring another boat ride.  By this point, because of all the rain, the boat rides weren't so exciting anymore.

Trying to get some pictures without getting too wet.  Didn't work that well.

Anna and the waterfall.

Our boat, the Milford Wanderer.

The scenic vistas of Milford Sound.  Complete with clouds and rain.

The Four Sisters Waterfalls, made more impressive by all the rain.  Many of the waterfalls in the Milford Sound area are more than twice the height of Niagara Falls.  However, because these falls are nestled into the mountains that are considerably bigger than they are, you can't appreciate the size of them.

Some brave kayakers on a very cold and rainy day.

The boat in the lower corner is very similar to the boat we were on, carrying hundreds of people.  Compare that with the size of the waterfall.  Pretty amazing.

More fur seals.