Cruise Ship Destination: The Sounds of New Zealand

WOW, what a wonderful day of cruising the sounds in the Fiordland National Park. We ordered room service breakfast so we could sit on the verandah and watch the sounds go by. The first sound we cruised through was Dusky Sound. Dusky Sound is the largest sound in kilometres. 

In olden times Maoris would camp beside the water while hunting. Captain Cook recorded the sound on his first voyage to the southern waters in 1770, and it was Captain Cook who named the area Dusky Bay. On his second voyage in 1773, Cook established a camp and stayed for almost two months, repairing sails and other ships needs, including brewing beer. It is believed that this was the first time beer was brewed in New Zealand. We cruised past Anchor Island turning at Long Island to cruise past Resolution Island. Resolution Island is the largest island in the Fiordland National Park, and the seventh largest island in New Zealand. It was named after Captain Cook's ship Resolution. The sound has much bird life and many of the geographical features are named after birds. We sailed through Acheron Passage, past Resolution Island. Captain Cook named the passage 'New Passage' and it was also known as 'Resolution Passage. Acheron Passage was named by J. L. Stokes.

The next sound was Doubtful Sound. This is a long sound and the ship only cruised a section of it. This fiord has dolphins and seals, but we only saw tiny  black and white dolphins. We had time to have lunch in the Windjammer, and then head to the Schooner Bar. We were lucky to get a seat right next to the window and the views were amazing. Jamie and Karen joined us later. It was lovely sitting there listening to the odd announcement about the history or the geography or wildlife, and sipping chocolate martini's. We didn't go to far in, but cruised around Secretary Island.

Doubtful Sound was named Doubtful Harbour by Captain Cook in 1770, and he didn't actually enter the sound as he was uncertain if the sound would be suitable for a sailing ship.. I really need to look up Captain Cook's journey as I've learned a lot about his sailings both here and in Canada, and I realised that I didn't know much about Cook's expeditions.

We have stayed at Queenstown many times over the years, and also Te Anau and Lake Manapouri. My mum and I stayed at Milford Sound and enjoyed a half day sightseeing cruise to Mitre Peak. We have traveled to Milford Sound via road, but never by ship. I must say here, that I think it is more spectacular taking a half day cruise up to Mitre Peak. Don't get me wrong, the scenery was still amazing, but I remember it more so in a smaller ship.

Milford Sound is only a small sound, but seemed to have more waterfalls, and it must have been a deeper fiord, as the ship went right up to Milford. It is a World Heritage Site. Maoris have a long history with Milford Sound, and many Maori legends are derived from Milford. In Māori legend, Milford Sound was formed by Tu-te-raki-whanoa. He was  in charge of making the sounds / fiords. Early explorers didn't explore the sound, thinking it too small. In 1823 a sealer named John Grono named it Milford Sound after Milford Haven in Wales.

 A wonderful day, of beautiful scenery and great company and mmmm chocolate martinis.