After breakfast we set off from the farm for our overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound hoping the weather would hold for a good trip. It was very windy still.
We drove to Manapouri via Te Anau (not really via as it was a 60km diversion) to get money and lunch.
The tour departed at 12.30 and we were in good time. It is a number of steps to get there 1) a boat across Lake Manapouri 2) a coach for 30 mins over the hills 3) the overnight boat.
The cruise was lovely, but with 70 people it seemed so busy. We did talk a bit to an American couple who were nice but mostly it was on deck enjoying the scenery. The tour normally has kayak and small boat trips but it was too windy for these. It was sunny mostly with a few showers. Doubtful Sound gets over 7m of rain a year and got 11 last year. Wet. We sailed up the sound and were very lucky to see dolphins, an albatross, an amazing rainbow, some seals (at a distance) and experience windy gusting to 100kms per hour.
Dinner was excellent and we retired to a noisy night of rain. Not sure cruising for us but so pleased to have visited this wilderness.
looks a bit windy but scenery looks spectacular. Lucky you to see an albatross. No wind here,but beautiful thick frosty mornings with sunshine.Dogs have had their coats on! Look forward to seeing you. As I write this you are half way across southern Australia.