After Milford (March 26)

The one way road to Milford is almost as impressive as the fiord itself. Since it had been raining on our way in, we stopped at all the scenic lookouts and walks on our way back, the first of which was known as the 'Chasm'. Millions of years of flowing water had formed the rocks of the chasm into smooth, sculpted formations - some reminding me of bones- round ended, long and smooth, perfectly round holes with logs jammed through them or balanced on top - all with white water churning through this cleft in the hillside. More interesting to Rory were the keas in the parking area - New Zealand's only alpine parrots. There were 4 or 5 of these mischievous birds on top of campers trying to pry off loose parts!
We stopped for a couple small hikes including one to an ice arch at a waterfall, at one end of the Homer Tunnel. Prior to the building of the 1.2 km Homer Tunnel, the only way to access Milford Sound was by foot or boat. Now, half a million tourists make the journey each year.
We topped off the afternoon with a 2 1/2 hour hike up the famous Routeburn track, to the Key Summit, where we had a 360 degree view of the mountains of Fiordland!
After all of that, the boys still had enough energy to boogie board down the freezing cold river at our campspot that night!