Thursday 5 October 2006 - Wanaka to Te Anau

 After a little longer than planned, we left Wanaka and headed to Te Anau.  Driving past the  Remarkables - mountain range that was truly remarkable! Stopped in a layby for lunch sitting on rocks overlooking Wakatipu Lake with the mountains behind some snowcapped.  Views were amazing.

Got to Te Anau early afternoon, sun was shining, walked along the lake. Visited Govan Drive for Rita and Selina.  Settled into our holiday park and spent the afternoon lazing in the sunshine reading our books!!

Friday 6 October 2006 - Milford Sound

Got picked up mighty early by Fiordland Wilderness Experiences for our transfer to Milford Sound. Drove through Fiordland National Park - 1.3million hectares forming 5% of New Zealands landmass.  Stopped off by a lake for a hot chocolate, being amused by watching the parrot (Kea) being fascinated with a sock!

Got into Milford picking up the remainding 2 people for our kayaking group. The group were:  our leader (who turned out to be pretty useless!) Fi, the 4 of us, Rhian and Paul from Southport (who were away on their honeymoon) and Jen and Mike from Boston. 

 Got handed our kayaking gear (bit different from Fiji days!).  This consisted of:  fleecy leggings & top, wetsuit vest, skirt (which was our spraydeck) rain jacket, life jacket/bouyancy jacket and hat with flaps! Looked great!!

 Got into our kayaks, Ellie at the back controlling the pedals i.e. steering! (these kayaks had rudders on the back!!) Rita feeling nervous being back on the water.  Away we went!  Kayaked and drifted on Deepwater Basin for a while, making our way over to the waterfall trying to avoid the big waves that the cruise boats were making!

 Happily kayaking enjoying our East 17 sing-a-long, Fi told us if we were quiet we might see some wildlife including some penguins! Think that was our cue to shut up! We didn't see any anyway!

Stopped for lunch on a secluded beach with views of Mitre Peak.  We were now on Milford Sound.  Fi warned us that the afternoon would be a bit choppy due to the daybreak winds and that we would raft up and do some kayak sailing back! Having never done that before Ellie was a bit baffled!

Set off and yes it was very choppy! A few touch & go moments for a while especially when Fi came to get us to raft up! All rafted up, sail up, we let the wind carry us! When it got calmer we split up again and did a little more kayaking and drifting!

 Good fun kayaking! Made our way back to Ta Anua.  Stopped at The Chasm & Mirror Lakes for a wander then at k*** Flat.  A little further on sat on the side of the road on the grass for hot drinks!

Saturday 7 October 2006 - Te Anau Holiday Park

Rainy day so spent the afternoon watching videos on our chairmade beds in the dining room!