Today I ventured into the lands of Mordor, the high country, and waterfalls.
It began with a treacherous drive down to Milford Sound. First gear and brakes were required to keep me moving slow enough down this 17 degree decline past stunning, mile high peaks and deep, deep blue waters.
From there, it was onto a boat to access a trailhead on the Milford Track. It's an end-to-end 3-4 day hike. We only covered about four miles, but a beautiful four miles it was through New Zealand ferns, flora and fauna. There are over 100 types of ferns here. What's not here amongst the native species are four legged animals. None! That surprised me. There are invasives, like rats, ferrets and stoats, all of which they continually trap. The mountains are so steep that most have not been climbed, and likely never will.
After lunch, it was off on a boat ride to the Tasman Sea and back. Seals, penguins and dolphins entertained us during our two hour ride, as did numerous majestic waterfalls and cascades. Some, like the one pictured, are reduced to mist by the time they reach bottom. Others carry more of a punch. The last picture here shows the boat in front of us dousing the bow patrons in what the captain called a glacial facial. Our's did the same, and yes, I took the plunge!
