Fiordland National Park

As we left Australia we sailed for 2 days and rounded the bottom of New Zealand. We spent a full day slowly cruising around Fiordland National Park. This would be like cruising through Glacier Bay if you were on an Alaskan cruise or through the Fjords of Norway. Beautiful scenery although after those majestic Fjords of Norway, these seemed small. It was cool to see the difference between the Fjords/Fiord's near the two different Poles. If I remember correctly, the ones in New Zealand are older, but don't quote me on that.

It was a beautiful morning to sail through the area. A Park Ranger got on the ship early in the morning and began his commentary about 8 a.m. and continued off and on until about 4 p.m. He said that this day was the clearest they had had all season (which began in October)and how lucky we were. It was indeed quite pretty. Compared with the Fjords of Norway these were tiny and not as magnificent. They were pretty none the less. The water was so still and pristine as we cruise through them. I think it would be so cool to have a permit to hike through the National Park.

That night we had "formal night" so everyone dressed up for dinner. It was fun to get a little dressed up and have a wonderful evening of dinner and music. Here's the whole group. Many nights we had 2 tables of 6 and we preferred it to the long table of 12 where you didn't really get to talk much...and you know how I like to talk!