NZ Milford Sound Kayaking (Friday, Feb 12)
Milford Sound is a really beautiful area. Despite having the procedure explained to us about our kayaking adventure today, it was still a little confusing, but here’s what we did. We had to pack up all our stuff, leaving out only what we wanted to use to clean up and have for our 5-hour drive back to Queenstown after the kayaking.
We went to the sound, which is actually a fiord since it’s open to the sea, and got all trussed up in our kayaking gear. This meant stripping down to underwear and putting on what they gave us: thermal tops and bottoms (“stripies” since they were all stripes for easy visibility), a fleece top, a skirt that would fit over our seats in the kayaks, a rain jacket, and finally a life vest. Boy, did we feel trussed up!
We got a quick lesson in how to paddle, then headed to our kayaks for a lesson about them. Quick final bathroom stop since we’ll be out for three hours, then into our water steeds and out on the water!
The weather was about perfect. Cloudy so we didn’t get too warm, but not raining (except a short sprinkle). We were very lucky, apparently, since this place gets over 250 rainy days every year.
We learn how to “raft up,” with explanations about why/when we might do this (safety, to hear information, etc.), and then we’re off exploring around the sound in two groups of four, 2-person kayaks. It’s a relatively leisurely pace, though Diana and I were with a younger crowd and each of the other kayaks are male-female pairs. Our guide, Joe, later said he thought we did a great job, though, so I guess we weren’t noticeably behind.
The pictures from our morning on the water are a little fuzzy because I took them with my iPhone through a Loksack covering. I was taking no chances on getting that phone wet! But you can see how we look.
After exercising our upper body muscles for a few hours, it was back to shore to turn in our specialty duds, change back into our real clothes, and get to the lodge for some clean-up and lunch. While we’d been gone, Katie and Kirsten had packed up our luggage and prepared nachos (no, not like we know in Texas, but good just the same). After a quick lunch, we were off on the long drive to our next stop.
Along the way, we did stop to see some Kea birds that were close to the side of the road. They’re not afraid of humans, and a big crowd formed. These birds use their strong beaks to get into all kinds of things, including cars!
Back in Queenstown we’re staying at the Crown Plaza, so after very basic accommodations, we’re going for quite fancy. After getting checked in, we’re basically on our own as Saturday is a free day in Queenstown. We’ll pick up the adventure again on Sunday.
Diana and I walked around the town for a bit to get our bearings and consider what we might do tomorrow. I’m now updating this blog and then I’m going to hit the sack to get some rest! I guess tomorrow’s a kind of recovery/lazy day (or as lazy as we want it to be). There’s a lot to do in this town, but much of it seems to be thrill-seeking kind of stuff, which I’m not into. Diana was thinking of doing a bungie jump, but not sure if that’ll pan out. I think we’ll just wait to see what the weather’s like and go from there!
Cheers from New Zealand for tonight!
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