Floating Phil

Trying to stay in touch with the world while sharing my adventure, posting some photographs and recording my thoughts.

Milford Sound

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Phil

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Simply a magical day, 

This morning I notice the fuel station display across the road reported it was 2 degrees C, while I was anxiously waiting for the bus.  I have been to this part of NZ a couple of times, but never made it all the way to Milford Sound before.  Either the timing or weather or other circumstances were not right, but today is finally here. Writing this blog, I limited myself to posting only 10 pictures, but I took lots and none of then do any justice to actually being here, so I will try my best to describe my journey.
On our way to Milford Sound we made a quick stop at the mirror lakes, which lived up to their name this morning.  I don’t often get to take pictures like these.
Then onwards, crossing rivers and edging ever closer to the mountains.
The bus has a glass roof and the simple fact is because you are so close to these glacier carved giants, it is best to look “up through the top”, and not “out the side” window.  

Soon we go through the tunnel and I can almost smell the ocean. There is just something about the mountains that makes my heart skip a beat and jump around like a baby goat in my chest. Such large forces at work to produce these beauties, that it makes me, and my life on earth seem pretty insignificant.
On the boat, and it is just impressive to witness how suddenly and decisively the land meets the fresh-ish ocean water.
Cliffs drop-off from hundreds of meters up in the sky, straight into the ocean.
Fresh waterfalls, too many to count falling straight into the ocean. There is no other word for it… magical.
In the picture above, there is a mountain, showing a small piece of glacier, with the river it is feeding, flowing into the ocean. Spectacular to witness.
And finally, almost the crown jewel of Milford Sound, Mitre peak. Like I said, words cannot describe it and pictures cannot capture it either. I am just thankful I was lucky and privileged enough to have witnessed it.
Now, at the end of the day, sitting next to the lake in Te Anau, I feel pretty humble while writing all of this. Although I left the Leopard a couple of weeks ago, today was actually my first day of being unemployed. Strange feeling it is the unknown, going back on the trail tomorrow and only the universe knows what is in store. I think the song that has been resonating with me recently is also appropriate for today. “Stop and Stare” by OneRepublic.
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45.4244 – 167.7207
20 February 2024
FP-40

6 responses to “Milford Sound”

  1. Stop and Stare immediately reminded me of the poem by William Davies that I was taught as a child MANY years ago.

    What is this life if, full of care,
    We have no time to stand and stare.
    No time to stand beneath the boughs
    And stare as long as sheep or cows.
    No time to see, when woods we pass,
    Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
    No time to see, in broad daylight,
    Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
    No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
    And watch her feet, how they can dance.
    No time to wait till her mouth can
    Enrich that smile her eyes began.
    A poor life this if, full of care,
    We have no time to stand and stare.

    Nothing more to add.

  3. Incredibly beautiful. I’m so happy for you. I have read every single post of this blog and am enjoying it so much. Thank you for sharing a bit of what you are experiencing with us!