Up and off to Te Anau. Stop at Visitor’s Center and to fill up gas tank, and then on to the road to Milford Sound. Tons of stops along the way! Eglinter Valley, Mirror Lakes, short hike to waterfalls on the way to Lake Marian (awesome!), stop before Homer Tunnel (B hikes to snow!), and after at the Chasm for lunch (with the mosquitoes, aka, the mozzies). On the way, lambies attack! On to Milford Sound and the cruise (sadly, no underwater observatory). Stunning views all around: waterfalls, mountains, dolphins, fur seals (sea lions - above). Hard to describe and understand the vastness of the entire place. Truly remarkable. Got tons of great photos and videos (thanks, B!) and N got wet under the waterfall mist. Back on land and a brief walk to a point on the harbor and a great view of Mt. Mitre. Time to hang out at the pub for photos and ice cream. To Milford Sound Lodge to check in—big place! Dinner, e-mail, and a spot by the rushing river you can hear inside the van. Niiiice.
 
Do you hear the Sound? Sunday, January 6, 2008