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.

Mirror Lakes

Beech Forest

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

Beech Forest

Dramatic Scenery

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

Dramatic Scenery

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.

Kea Birds

Scenery

More beautiful scenery seen on our drive.

Scenery

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”).

The Chasm Walk

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

Milford Sound

Cruising Milford Sound.

Milford Sound

Waterfalls

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

Waterfalls

Waterfalls

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

Waterfalls

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.

Helicopter Ride

Milford Sound from the Air

Milford Sound from the air.

Milford Sound from the Air

Over the Mountains

Soaring over the mountains in the helicopter.

Over the Mountains

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”).

Donne Glacier