Mirror Lakes

On the long drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, we stopped at Mirror Lakes. If it was a clear day, the Earl Mountains would have been reflected in the lake. We were lucky to get a slight clearing to see some of the blue sky reflected.

Beech Forest

Next, a walk through a beech forest next to Mirror Lakes.

Dramatic Scenery

Photo of some of the dramatic scenery along our drive. The fog added more drama.

Kea Birds

We stopped to say hello to the kea birds, which are alpine parrots. They have no fear of people and actually come to greet all their visitors.

Scenery

More beautiful scenery seen on our drive.

The Chasm Walk

Another walk, this time one called The Chasm Walk, through a forest with waterfalls.

I have put my photos of our drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/queensland–to–milford–sound/

(Slide Shows, Australia/New Zealand, New Zealand, “Queenstown to Milford Sound”).

Milford Sound

We arrived at Milford Sound, actually a fiord carved by glaciers during the ice age. We took a catamaran around the lake and also had a buffet lunch served on it.

Milford Sound

Cruising Milford Sound.

Waterfalls

Our boat came in very close to two waterfalls. The first waterfall had a rainbow.

Waterfalls

Our boat got much closer to the second waterfall. Photo is of being in the waterfall.

Helicopter Ride

After our boat ride on Milford Sound, my tour group left to return to Queenstown. I stayed on and took a helicopter ride over the sound and the mountains. I had not been in a helicopter for many, many years but remembered it as a good experience. Anyway, I had taken flights on a Cessna a few years ago from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Vieques Island off the mainland and then back to San Juan. I figured nothing could be as bad as the heart–stopping dips that the planes took. I was right. The helicopter ride was very smooth and not at all scary.

Milford Sound from the Air

Milford Sound from the air.

Over the Mountains

Soaring over the mountains in the helicopter.

Donne Glacier

The helicopter landed on the Donne Glacier and we walked on the snow.

I have put my photos of Milford Sound and the helicopter ride on a slideshow. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–4–milford–sound/

(Slide Shows, Australia/New Zealand, New Zealand, “Milford Sound”).