Doubtful Sound

Torrential rain, winds gusting to 50k, flat calm water, rough sea, drizzle, cloud and sunshine - we experienced all this during our 20 hours on board the Fjordland Navigator.    The trip started in Manapouri with a ferry trip across Manapouri Lake where a coach took us to Deep Cove at the head of Doubtful Sound.  We boarded the Fjordland Navigator for an incredible trip of which the weather is part of the experience. We were very lucky to get to see the seal colony at the entrance to Doubtful Sound as the previous day it had been too rough (winds gusting to 60k apparently). 
We kayaked in torrential rain, saw some amazing waterfalls as a result of the heavy rain, saw a pod of around 50 dolphins first thing in the morning, enjoyed the sound of silence in flat calm waters and ate fantastic meals.  This really was a trip away from civilisation and the rest of the world - a fantastic experience.  We took nearly 200 photos between us - these are just a few!

The seal colony at the entrance to Doubtful Sound

Kayaking at Precipice Cove

One of the many waterfalls

The Fjord Navigator comes up close to the rockface

And another waterfall

David getting wet under the waterfall

Low cloud over the mountains

The cloud starting to lift

David outside our cabin

The sun breaking through and showing some of the 40 shades of green in the Sound

A hanging valley

Not too wet in this picture

Approach to Deep Cove at the head of the Sound

Crossing Manapouri Lake on the ferry home