New Zealand Sounds

Fog over the Doubtful Sound Entrance

After seeing New Zealand’s two past capitals…Russel and Auckland, and its current capital, Wellington…it was time to see the natural beauty of this country…and so we did. Doubtful Sound was given its name by James Cook, who looked at its narrow inlet and figured it was “doubtful” that if he went in, he could turn his ship around to get back out so he sailed on. He had to rely on the wind, whereas we had sideward and backward thrusters and could turn on a dime. We arrived at the southern tip of the South Island in heavy fog and choppy seas, but the fog lifted and peeks of blue were seen above the mountain peaks.

Our ship slipped in with no problems, the near vertical cliffs on both sides covered with greenery except where there had been rock slides or waterfalls. Waterfalls were numerous since nearly six feet of rain falls in these spots each year.

During our sail through the sound, the Viking chefs served a five-star brunch to match the five-star scenery…omelets, pasta, salad, and dessert bars, along with New Zealand foods…huge mussels, seafood, local cheeses, grass-fed lamb, beef wellington, and even hokey pokey ice cream…vanilla with hard honey chunks. We had a feeling we would see this on the ship after hearing from our guide that it is a New Zealand favorite. Our chef is amazing.

Brunch Served as we Sailed through
Doubtful Sound

New Zealand's World Renown Cheeses

Seafood Tapas

More Local Cheeses on
Poolside Tables

               Enormous mussels served a variety of ways...delicious fruit displayed beautifully...

and the ohhh the desserts... in the words of Mark's Dad, "You did it again Chefs"!

Three hours later we sailed into Milford Sound where we again moved from choppy seas to a quiet inlet, the sun breaking through as we cruised the entire length of the sound. At the end was a small hotel and airport for tourists who wanted to backpack into the park or take a ferry or helicopter ride along its cliffs.

Milford Sound

 We saw the sound's most famous waterfall and iconic mountain, grateful yet again for the good weather and the opportunity to see this beautiful part of the world.

The following day Carol attended a watercolor class with the ship's resident artist and painted this masterpiece of the Milford Sound.