Day 49: Scenic cruising in the New Zealand Fjords.
Throughout the day we sailed along the coastal waters off New Zealand’s Southern Island, passing Fiorland, New Zealand Fjords.
Fiorland is the largest National Park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. It stands apart as a region of distinct character, made up mainly of hard Crystalline rocks which are as old as any in New Zealand. Fourteen Fjords, reaching up to 40km inland, extend from Milford Sound in the north to Preservation Inlet in the South along 200km of rugged western coastline and the Queen Mary was able to take us on a tour through 3 of these Fjords.
The first sight of New Zealand was something magical. We were received by a very spectacular sun raise as we approached Milford Sound at around 6:45AM, followed by a very dramatic landscape of vertical mountains, rain forests and waterfalls. The day continued with 2 more fjord entrances through Doubtful Sound and finally Dusky Sound.
I couldn’t ask for a better welcome on my very first visit to New Zealand.
