Milford Sound

After finishing the Routeburn track, we carried on up to Milford Sound, a fiord named after Milford Haven by the Welsh guy that found it, although from what I remember of Milford Haven, I think this place is just slightly more scenic. The peak in the middle of the picture is called Mitre Peak and is just over a mile high from sea to summit. Which is pretty high. Although an impressive place it can get very busy with tourists, although it was pretty quiet when we were there because the season is coming to an end. In an attempt to get off the beaten tourist track a little bit I decided to go diving in the Fiord which is home to some deep sea species at much shallower depths due to a layer of fresh water on the surface which filters out light so you get things going on at around 20 metres which you would usually only find at 150 metres plus.
After the dive we ended up in the only bar in Milford. We watched rugby (which is virtually impossible to avoid in NZ), ate fish, got pissed and listened to a local band late into the night. Not bad. Actually, I'm getting quite into the rugby over here. Which is kind of good because if you didn't, it would really annoy the hell out of you. They have this Super 14 league which includes teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and is as popular if not more than the Premiership in England. What's also quite cool is that the Kiwis have an almost equal resentment towards any Aussie team playing sport as we do. As the kiwi phase goes: "I support two teams. New Zealand and anyone playing Australia." Good as gold.