Milford Sound [February 18]

With two German girls (Liv en Julia) I traveled to Milford Sound to share the fuel costs. We stopped a couple of times along our trip there and each did a cruise in Milford Sound itself. What a wonderful day it was!


Mirror Lakes.


A Kea on Mister Hankey!



One of the waterfalls along the way.



The first big waterfall in Milford Sound.



Milford Sound.

Seals sun bathing in Milford Sound.

Another waterfall.

The underwater conservatory.

Click on the pictures to view them bigger.

Next - Queenstown!

Sky Dive DVD [November 2007]

Finally got it uploaded! Have a look and make sure to turn your volume up!

http://www.youtube.com/v/4eSb3OR0u5w

:D

Doubtful Sound [February 17]

"Jagged razor backed mountains rear their heads into the sky. More than 200 days of rain a year ensure not a tree branch is left bare and brown, moss and epiphytes drape every nook. The forest is intensely green. This is big country... one day peaceful, a study in green and blue, the next melancholy and misty, with low cloud veiling the tops... an awesome place, with its granite precipices, its hanging valleys, its earthquake faults and its thundering cascades." - Charles John Lyttelton about Doubtful Sound.

Enjoy the pictures. :)






Doubtful Sound was named 'Doubtful Harbour' by Captain Cook, who did not enter the inlet as he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail.


It was later renamed Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers.




Doubtful Sound is three times longer and ten times greater than Milford Sound. Doubtful Sound is also less commercialised and is frequently referred to as the "Sounds Of Silence".






Doubtful Sound is unusual in that it contains two distinct layers of water that do not mix. The top few meters is fresh water, fed from the high inflows from the surrounding mountains. Below this is a layer of cold, heavy, sakt water from the sea. The difference between these two layers makes it difficult for light to penetrate. Thus, many deep-sea species will grow in the comparatively shallow depths of the Sound.


There are three distinct arms to the sound.


A Kea - also knows as the 'Clowns of the mountains'.

Next: Milford Sound...

Te Anau - On my way there [February 15 - 19]

After getting back from Steward Island, I went to the beginning of the number 1 highway, so I can truly say I have done New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff. ;)


Sign at the end/beginning of Highway No. 1.


Riverton.


Signs in Manapouri.

Steward Island [February 13 - 15]

After a day off in Mandeville, relaxing, doing my laundry and dyeing my hair again, I traveled to Invercargill to do some grocery shopping and then I continued to Bluff, the first New Zealand town and gateway to Steward Island. I stayed two nights on Steward Island. The ferry takes you there in about one hour and I was lucky that the crossing was not too rough.


On Steward Island I did some great walks, with lovely views.


One of the many bays.


One of the old phones, that could have up to 8 or 9 households on one number. It wasn't replaced untill the late '90's.


Lee Bay.

.
Lee Bay.


Lee Bay. The chain represents the anchor that Steward Island is in the Maori legend.


Seaweed - during my 'Underwater Discover' trip. This was a partly submersive boat that allowed you to see underwater. Taking pictures is really hard.


Halfmoon Bay.


One of the orange sunsets on Steward Island...

Next >>> Te Anau & Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound!

Mandeville - Work as a relief milker! [January 30 - February 12]

After visiting Jocelyn and Mike I went back to Gore and stayed in an old fire station that was transferred into a backpackers. I was told that it would be really easy to find a job as a relief milker, but it took me two days. Which is longer then I expected. 

Anyway - I ended up in Mandeville on Coldstream Dairies and I worked with Jade, Steven, Kelly, Dave and Jeffrey. 

Great guys, great time!


View from the house I stayed. Accommodation was free (included in the job) and I had the house to myself.


Steven and Jade. Putting on cups.


Cows are getting up...


... and around and around and someone else is taking off the cups at the end (most of the times that was me) and then the cow gets off (with a little help every now and then).


One of the bulls. I had to get the bulls out of the herd. The first time I had to do that was quite... exciting. :)


The house - on the hill. 

Next - Steward Island!

Millersflat & Gore [January 26 -30]

After contacting Mike and Jocelyn, I traveled to their ranch in Millersflat to see if I could find a job in that area. After two days I decided to try my luck in Gore as I really wanted to work as a relief milker and not as a fruit picker. I got indeed lucky in Gore.


Jocelyn and Mike on the beach near their holiday home (in the Catlins).


Gore.

Pictures of my job in Mandeville in the next blog. :)

Invercargill [January 25 - 26]

I slept only one night in Invercargill and spent the afternoon wandering through this kinda sleepy town. They do have some beautiful buildings. I went to Millersflat to visit Mike and Josh the next day. I had been given their address by Gerard, Ilja's father.


Town hall in Invercargill.


Best 'hot' pizza's for sure, eh? ;)


Meaning? That it always rains? Well, not that day! :)


One of the lovely churches.

Catlins - Curio Bay [January 22 - 25]

The Catlins - the name that conjures up images of a corner of New Zealand untainted by the modern world - a place where time has stood still and a visitor may enjoy forest, wildlife and the life-style of a bygone era.


A couple of kilometres south of Dunedin.


Kaka point.


Purakaunui Falls.


The Lost Gypsy Art Gallary Motorcycle -Papatowai.


Near to Curio Bay.


Slope Point.


The rough coastline of Slope Point.


Petrified forest - Curio Bay.

A Yellow Eyed Piguin - Curio Bay.

The Lost Gypsy Art Gallery -Papatowai.

Jack's Bay.

Jack's Blowhole.

Whitehead Cliffs.

Matai Falls.

Lake Wilkie.

McLean Falls.

McLean Falls.

McLean Falls.

Catlins River Bush Track.

Catlins River Bush Track.

Catlins River Bush Track.

Catlins River Bush Track.

Catlins River Bush Track.

Sheeps are everywhere, so also on the road on my way to ...

Invercargill.

Click on the pictures to view them bigger!