Tag 59, 60 and 61 Milford Sound

Off to Fjordland! 

But before we ventured deep into Fiorland, we paid a visit to a small bird park. We saw the mountain parrot Kaka - playful chatterboxes that belong to New Zealand's endangered bird species - and the Takahe, which was declared extinct until a few birds were sighted in the 1960s. Today, with 130 animals living in the wild, it is considered a highly endangered species. It was great to have the opportunity to see it.

Then it was really into Fjordland with Emma. No reception, no gas stations, no supermarkets - just nature (and pit toilets). (: and...a lot of hungry sandflies that make Basti dance in the morning (and Pauline laugh)!

Our first small stop was at Mirror Lake, which lived up to its name. The next day, we embarked on an adventurous hike to Lake Marianne. (When you wonder in between if this is really the right way and can't find any more markings, and it's quite adventurous, by the way, that's not the right way) We felt like Indiana Jones, wandering through the jungle, and were rewarded with the beautiful lake surrounded by green mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers. Absolutely amazing!

On our way to an incredibly impressive waterfall that has hollowed out and shaped the surrounding stones, we encountered the cheeky Kea (a super curious and playful parrot that likes to pull the rubber seals out of car doors and hack at tires).

In the evening after dinner, we took a little digestive walk around Lake Gun through a quaint forest with a nice view.

Today we climbed Key Summit. When we reached the top, we had a view of the valleys and mountains around us. If that's not a fitting reward!

On the way to the next fjord, we passed two more Lord of the Rings filming locations: the Anduin River and the Dead Marshes.

What impressive days.

Tomorrow we're going to the little sister. The Doubtful Sound.