We joined our fellow passengers and the crew aboard the 'Navigator', where we were treated to fresh baked muffins while hearing the plans for our journey. Everyone was then assigned their berths - our room had two sets of bunks separated by a ladder that looked out a porthole at the water. It was comfortable but not exactly the captains quarters! We were on the lowest level, another level of sleeping quarters was above us, then the main cabin above that, topped off by the upper deck.
Soon after we started moving, the naturalist announced dolphins had been spotted. We saw lots of bottle nose dolphins, jumping in the waves and swimming in the bow waves of the boat! That was a good start!
The weather was overcast and drizzly (although it had been sunny and warm in Manapouri where we started!) and because of the sea conditions, we passed one arm of the sound and continued further along to Blanket arm for Rory's favorite part of the trip - kayaking! He had to act 10 yrs. old for awhile so as to be allowed, but proved himself to be a qualified little kayaker, keeping up with the guide and Liam, along the shores and inlets for the 2 km stretch we paddled. I went with the boys while Nigel went with the naturalist for a boat ride along the same stretch. Afterwards, those keen were able to jump off the back of the 'Navigator' for a swim. Needless to say, my boys including Nigel of course, were all keen and I would have been too - but someone had to take the photos!
After hot showers, we warmed up further with hot soup and fresh rolls, then cruised to the mouth of the fiord to the Tasman Sea and a group of islands, home to 100's of fur seals. The sun seemed to break through the clouds for some dramatic views and the crew put up three sails, before we headed into West Arm, a few hours ride away to anchor for the night.
Luckily we didn't have to wait long for dinner - it was served while we were underway. That was definitely one of the highlights of the cruise! It was buffet style and lucky for us, those sitting at tables with children ate first! There were two other families aboard and Rory had already made a friend. Dinner - wow! There were 4 types of yummy salads, then veggies, roast kumara (like sweet potato), Thai chicken, salmon, roast beef and lamb, vegetarian strudel and other veggie dishes and a variety of delicious sauces to match them all! We all had some of everything and went for seconds too! Then of course there was dessert: New Zealand's national dessert, Pavlova, which is mostly soft meringue, raspberry cheesecake, chocolate cake, fruit cobbler with hot custard sauce and fresh fruit with cream. Since we have not had many dinners out, this dinner made up for that completely!
After coffee, cheese, crackers and dried fruit, we listened to Josh, the naturalist, give a slide presentation of the flora, fauna and geology of Fiordland. We learnt alot and were starting to fade, it was almost 11:00! We retired to our bunks.
Our wake up call was the sound of the engine starting at 6:15 a.m.! A full breakfast, complete with English style baked beans and fried tomatoes, started our return voyage. We went into another long arm of the fiord first though, and Josh had us all drinking moss-filtered water that we caught in glasses from a dripping rock overhang. Probably some of the cleanest water we will ever drink!
Back at the dock we boarded the bus and eventually the boat that would take us back to Manapouri, Rory with his new friend seated beside him.
This trip happened to coincide with Nigel's birthday and I think it will be a birthday he, as well as the rest of us, will always remember.
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