Day 346: Doubtful Sound Cruise

We had hoped Mary’s parents would join us in Australia and New Zealand for Christmas, but we know a 17 hour flight can really take the energy out of you. They were generous to gift us a fjord day cruise in the remote Doubtful Sound as a Christmas gift! We pre-ordered a cheese board and snuck red wine in our backpack 😉 Before starting our trip, we called Andrea to check in on post-wedding life, snow in Boston, and her sweet kitties Elsie/Smog.

The first trip leg is an hour boat ride across Manapouri Lake; after landing in the west arm cove near a dam power plant. The power plant takes water from Manapouri lake, shoots it through a tunnel in the mountain, and out to the Doubtful Sound; the whole trip takes 45 minutes!

We hoped on a bus and drove up through Percy Pass. There were steep drops and we were well above the clouds. It was a rainy day so we couldn’t see straight down the fjord as we came down Doubtful Sound.

We arrive to Deep Cove, population of 2 people who manage an educational program for school trips. We board the boat and sail our way through the fjords. The rain and clouds limit our views, but we made the best of the cruise. The cheese board and wine definitely got us saucy. We also got to see seals chilling on the rocks. The Tasmanian Sea was calm so the captain took us out of the cove and into the ocean. Another special moment included cruising deep into the sound and turning off the engine. They asked everyone to step outside, make no noise, and get off the phones to listen to nature for 10 minutes with no sound. Amazing!

We cruised back and split a much needed coffee after a bottle of red wine. After arriving to Te Anau, we hit a restaurant for dinner and ordered the local meats to include lamb and venison🤤

Thank you Susan and Andy for the wonderful Christmas present and delicious dinner ❤️❤️❤️

Hotel: Te Anau Top 10 Holiday Park

Restaurant:
Bailiez

Food:
Lamb Shanks
Venison

Spots:
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