Over Fjordland

I hadn't realised how extensive New Zealand's South Island Fjordland Park was until we took this helicopter flight back to Te Anau.  It was one very small helicopter, scarily apparently fragile compared to the the buffeting of the wind and the the proximity of those mountains! (See extra)  I was quite scared at some points as we seemed to be approaching solid cliff faces at a rate of knots!  This was a special cut price trip we were offered after we had got on the coach to return to Te Anau, as the helicopter would have been making the trip empty and the company preferred to make some money.  We took advantage of the less than half price cost of a still ridiculous price to treat ourselves to the flight, along with another couple who'd been on the overnight Mlford Sound Cruise.  A 30 minute flight instead of a three hour coach journey.

The Milford Road trip yesterday was really interesting - especially to learn about the predators threatening the original creatures of New Zealand.  We also learn some history, geology and geography along the route.  Photographically, I found the light very challenging!  Some really naff shots!  Once on the Milford Mariner, we found our small but comfortable cabin and had a wander around the ship - that didn't take long!  We sailed for about an hour, then stopped for those who wanted to Kayak or go off in the tender to do that, before a very nice buffet carvery dinner for the 60 or so folk on board.  Then that was where we stopped for the night.  I hadn't expected that.  I expected to travel further.  This morning, we were up early to listen to the Dawn Chorus, interrupted by some annoying people who seemed to have got up early to go on deck to take to one another...  Why would  you do that when you can listen to birds you've probably never heard before?  It was a bit cloudy and cold so no lovely sunrise unfortunately . Then after breakfast at 7.30 we set off down the last bit of the fjord to the Tasman Sea, which was pretty rough.  Then we turned around and travelled back up the fjord - spotting some bottlenose dolpins on the way.

I enjoyed the little cruise.  The scenery was beautiful, immensely high cliffs, but It all seemed a bit too like Norway.  Maybe I'm missing something...

Anyway, a good afternoon has been had seeing a bit more of Te Anau, and we will be off to Dunedin tomorrow.