The visit to Milford Sound was mesmerizing. Its landscapes featured sharp peaks, snow-covered mountains, dense rain forests, and dramatic waterfalls. The torrential rains added to the beauty with the waterfalls in full spate.
We entered a long tunnel that cut through the mountains to more dramatic waterfalls. These were temporary falls as they are only visible with the torrential rains as we were lucky to witness.
Then the guide dropped a bombshell saying ‘sorry to disappoint you, but Milford Sound is not a Sound!’ We were amazed. A sound is a water body formed when rivers cut through the mountains and form a lake. But Milford Sound was not formed by the force of rivers. Milford Sound is a classic example of a glacially carved fjord. It was sculpted by glaciers during the last Ice Age, resulting in the steep cliffs and deep waters. Theoretically it is not a sound, but a fjord! To resolve this technical detail, it is called the Milford Sound Fjord. This name keeps the pleasing ring of the word ‘sound’.
It was raining as we stepped on to the boat for the cruise. We watched in wonder as the scenes changed before us.
We were in for a treat when a few dolphins started to dance for us! It is rare to sight dolphins in the Milford Sound!
We cruised the entire length of the Milford Sound. At the end we saw the open ocean! I recorded our journey and return on google maps!
On return the Bowen Falls was in full swing! We got wet trying to video record the falls!
And the open ocean ahead! Goodbye Milford Sound till next time!
Unni-Verse 