Visiting New Zealand
The Routeburn Track, Queenstown and Christchurch
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 |
|
|
|
| As Wikipedia states: "Milford Sound is located about five hours' drive from Queenstown; many tour buses to the Sound depart from there, as well as much pricier helicopter tours. The drive itself passes through unspoiled mountain landscapes before entering the 1.2-kilometer Homer Tunnel which emerges into rain-forest carpeted canyons that descend to the sound. Milford Sound can also be reached on foot as the final destination of the Milford Track". | "Boat tours of the sound are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. Hiking (tramping, in New Zealand English) and canoeing are also possible. An underwater observatory provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here". |
 |
 |
| "On 8 February 2004 a spill of 13,000 liters of diesel fuel was discovered, resulting in a 2 kilometer oil spill which closed the sound for two days while intensive cleanup activities were completed. Apparently a hose was used to displace the fuel from the tanks of one of the tour vessels. Various government officials claimed it appeared to be an act of eco-terrorism motivated by rising numbers of tourists to the park". | "Milford Sound is named for Milford Haven in
Wales, and the Cleddau River which flows into it is similarly named for a
Welsh namesake. The Maori name for the sound, Piopiotahi, means first native
thrush. Milford Sound was also the location used to film the scenes of the Argonath in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". |
 |
 |
| Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to Milford Sound and had splendid weather. However, considering that New Zealand is located extremely far from Norway, it is almost that one can travel to the opposite side of the earth and find the exact same landscape as one has at home. | The one planning mistake Yuka and I made on our New Zealand trip was not to book a night's accommodation in Te Anau. Going to Milford Sound in one day from Queenstown is extremely tiring, and Te Anau seems like a great town to spend a day or two in. |
 |
 |
| Back in Queenstown, Yuka and I had another day to kill. We decided to spend it in Glenorchy, which "is a small settlement nestled in spectacular scenery at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand's south Island. It is approximately 45 kilometres by road or boat from Queenstown, the nearest large town". | The last time we went horseback riding, we were in Guam and I had to settle for a mule that would not move. In Glenorchy, I was much luckier, and actually was provided a real horse! |
 |
 |
| "Glenorchy is a popular tourist spot, close to many tramping tracks. It lies near the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. The local scenery received worldwide attention when it was used as one of the settings in the first of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. Vertical Limit was also filmed in the area". | From Queenstown, one can take a gondola ride to get a fantastic view of Queenstown, which location is hard to beat. |
More Pictures From "New Zealand"
Click Here for Part 3
Presented By Boots 4 You, Magellan's Travel Supplies, Guide 2 Downunder, and Janhoo.com.