FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, NZ

This day was the best day yet!  We were up early again (6:30) because the ship began its first entrance into Dusky Fiord at 7:30 am.  We went around a Resolution Island (4th largest in NZ) and out to sea again through Breaksea Sound.  The weather was decent--low cloud, some sun breaks, and little wind.

By 9:15 we were back into the Tasman Sea, so there was a Church service, and that was good, too.

At 10:30 we entered Doubtful Sound and skirted Secretary Island (5th largest), coming back into the Tasman Sea through Thompson Sound.  The weather was similar, but there were many interesting scenes.  Lots of pictures again!

We went back to the stateroom about 11:40 and I edited pictures until lunch time.  At 2:15 it was time for the best Fiord--Milford Sound.  This one we sailed to its end, then turned and came back out to the Tasman Sea again.  The weather when we started was blustery, with low cloud and fog.  There are numerous waterfalls that were running heavily as there has been a lot of rain--it rains over 200 days a year with annual amounts of 8000 mm in Milford Sound!  Today was no exception--it rained and was windy!  Then the clouds lifted and the sun began to shine.  Soon it was warm, sunny and beautiful!  We saw Milford under all possible weather conditions and each was amazing!

Now we are on the Tasman Sea, being bumped around as it is rough again.  We have 2 days of this to "endure" before we reach Melbourne.  These are our rest days after 7 days straight of feverish activity.  NZ was wonderful!

g'day