"Cruising Fiords and Lakes - Hiking - Meeting Birds" Fiordland National Park by Kimi_the_Bear

Fiordland National Park Travel Guide: 33 reviews and 109 photos

Cruising Doubtful Sound. - Fiordland National Park

What great time I had when visiting Fiordland with Mama and Doris. Not only did the two ladies pamper me but we also had great weather - which is not typical for this part of the rainforest of the south-west. The forecast was not good when we planned the trip but it got better by the day. The only water drops that landed on my fur were not rain but spray water from the boats we were on. And we were a lot on the water! We crossed Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, and cruised Milford and Doubtful Sound. We went hiking, shopping, dining, visited the Glow Worm Caves and Te Anau's Birdlife Park. (But I have to admit, I prefer to watch birds in the wild although those keas were funny...)

Enjoying Milford Sound.

You need at least two nights in Te Anau - but three if you want to cruise both famous Fiords. They are full day trips.

Oh, and I have to explain something: The fiords are fiords and no sounds although their names are Milford and Doubtful Sound. I do not know who mis-named them, perhaps a doubtful Mister Milford?? Sounds are collapsed river systems with lots and lots of islands, like the Marlborough Sounds and the Bay of Islands, whereas fiords were created by glaciers that ate their way through rocks.

Never travel without insect repellent!

One veeery important advice for travels in this region: Never travel to Fiordland without insect repellent! Especially when the sun shines and the wind is not strong and you do not move, those nasties try to eat you!

Fiordland also is the country of the keas. They are cheeky, they can be nasty and friendly at the same time - just not to me, because they find my looks strange. Do not feed them - but feed me if you meet me ;-)))

Pros and Cons

Pros:A magic World
Cons:Sandflies
In a nutshell:I will be back :-)

Last visit to Fiordland National Park: Feb 2009
Intro Updated Mar 23, 2009
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Comments (3)

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KiKitC Oct 3, 2009 at 3:10 AM

Boy, Kimi...you sure are photogenic! Love your pictures. Hope you have a fluffy, warm birthday!
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Russell_the_Wombat Apr 30, 2009 at 12:01 PM

Hi Kimi, we are travelling Fiordland with you - at least virtually! The landscape is... WOW!!! I want to go there, I want to go there... The glowworm cave must be magic, too!
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nicolaitan Apr 29, 2009 at 1:37 PM

looks like you have seen some spectacular scenery, kimi - or is it kimchi. when i was in korea, it wasn't bears being offered in itaewon for sure.