Day 77: Milford Sound

The Fiordlands have a reputation around the country. On our way there I was hoping they would live up to the stories I had heard about how amazing  they were. Fortunately enough we stayed at a campsite not too far into our journey into the sounds. The campsite proved to provide us with absolutely beautiful views of the sunset on our first night along the sounds. 

Milford Sound is the northern most end of Fiordland National Park. There is a Maori legend that Milford Sound and the whoe Fiordland Coast was created by an atua (godly figure) named Tu-te-raki-whanoa. It is believed that he carved the rock walls of the Fiordlans with his adze (axe).

We stopped along our way back to our campsite and found the Chasm. Only a short walk, to the wonderful art of mother nature. Thousand of years of water rushing through this valley left the rocks marked. There were incredible shapes and tunnels created by the water rushing through. Seriously fascinating.

    

                    

Splurging for a cruise along the Milford Sound meant we had an extra day in the area so we had some time to explore some of the area. We wandered a bit and then found our way to Gertrude Valley.

       

 

And the cruise proved to be worth it...

        
The fairy falls were my favorite. I could have sat and looked at these falls for hours and hours. They were so beautiful. The stream of water was steady and it fell off the cliff as if it were fairy dust. So incredibly beautiful. The pictures do not do them justice at all.