Milford Sound, Heaven on Earth fjords of the South

New Zealand is a place Fiorland National Park which is famous for its natural beauty and charm of Milford Sound to the top of a natural attraction to invite admiration of the visitors in every season. Here's the story Pungky Utami visiting Milford Sound, a summary of the natural beauty of the natural phenomenon of a long process of formation of fjords. executive summary by darmansjah

Winter temperature in August was stabbed when we left town that morning to Queenstown Park Fiorland. From Queenstown, we went to Te Anau, a small town to be taken for approximately two hours away. Unfortunately the weather was not on our side. We left the city Queenstown accompanied by a fog so that Wakatipu Lake, located on the right side can not look at all the snow and rain heavy enough to make a layer of snow on the road are becoming increasingly bold.

Thankfully, near Te Anau, the snow stopped and the sky was bright again. It is true, the weather in the mountainous area is rapidly changing and unpredictable. Pause at the park Visitor Centre, we get information about the current weather along the Milford Road and Milford Sound. It is very important to know because of the winter road route along the Milford Road which divides the park is often covered with snow slides so that every vehicle that crosses the route must carry snow chains to keep the vehicle from sliding. For safety, you will be renting a pair of snow chains for NZD 35.

Te Anau is the last place to refuel before heading to taste Milford Sound. Traveling back and forth from Te Anau to Milford Sound a distance of approximately 240 km. brochure complete with the following routes are interesting places to stop off along the Milford Road, off we went. Sights along the spectacular Milford Road. The series of towering mountains with snow on top makes everything in between, even the big buses that pass the time, looked stunted. In my imagination, located at Milford Road as if thrown into the past when the dimension of human nature and yet there is still pure in its form, complete with an atmosphere of desolation. Along the Milford Road, I increasingly realize that man is nothing at all compared with the universe is so great. Along the way, we stopped to visit Mirror Lake. In shallow lakes, we can see a perfect reflection of a series of Eglinton Mountains covered with snow and vegetation unique mountain plants. So pretty!.

Entering the Monkey Creek, there is a prohibited area to stop along the 17 km in the winter because of avalanche-prone. And sure enough, there are many traces of avalanches from the mountain range. Shortly thereafter, we entered along the 1.2 km Homer Tunel which again covered in snow. The final stop before reaching Milford Sound is The Chasm, Cleddau river flow results with the pressure that resulted in such a way against the rock carvings in its path. The Chasm into areas such as entering the green forest full of secrets and when we looked down from the bridge, I saw a giant rock grotto complete with a sound resembling the roaring water make this place as well as the creepy but intriguing.

Finally we arrived at Milford Sound before sunset and stay at the Milford Lodge, one of two specialty epidermis contained within this area. Profits stay in the area of ​​Milford Sound is that we can choose the itinerary is quite flexible, in contrast to when we book a ticket to the point of initial departure from Queenstown or Te Anau. There are many carriers that serve the cruise down Milford Sound, and each has a shipping schedule for morning, noon, and evening. In general, most carriers are pursuing passengers sailing during the day time so that at almost the same moment of silence in the park will be replaced with a large group of tourists crowd and rows of tourist buses on any interesting attractions. This is in contrast to our experience, in which almost every place we visited only the sound of silence and the breeze is heard. There are several types of cruises are offered, ranging from cheapest to most expensive price, depending on the operator, the type and duration of the voyage. At the inn, we took a cruise early schedule for Encounter Cruise with Southern Discoveries operator who departed from the port at 09:45 and lasted 135 minutes. If the Scenic Cruise focuses on the beautiful places along the Milford Sound and a duration of 90 minutes, then Encouter Cruise took us to look more closely at the life of existing vegetation along this beautiful fjords.

The starting point of the cruise starts at Milford Wharf Visitor Centre located in Frehwater Basin. Misty morning does not diminish the beauty of Milford Sound. It was true what was presented by our lodging in Queenstown receptionist, that rain or not, in winter or summer, the panoramic view of Milford Sound will not disappoint anyone who visits. Throughout the cruise we saw a series of towering mountains and ice melt in the high mountain peaks creating waterfalls in several places. Iconic Milford Sound, Mitre Peak towering approximately 1.682 meters from the surface of standing water as if to keep the natural peace that truly eye-catching. From a short distance away we could see the region's vegetation series follows the cute animal inhabitants, from the colony of seals lounging by tiny penguins. Unfortunately we failed to meet that morning with the other inhabitants of the Milford Sound dolphins.

Milford Sound is an example of fjords formed by the melting of ice resulting in the valleys of the U-shaped with steep cliffs as seen along many of our voyage that morning. These fjords have varied depths up to 300m. According beliefs of the Maori tribe, the ancestors of those who have carved a half-god Tuterakiwhanoa icebergs at this time on its way to achieving Piopiotahi (Milford) Milford Sound, forming as we see today.

Once in the mouth of the fjords are directly adjacent to the Tasman Sea, the ship was turned back took us to see some tiny penguins standing on the rocks. Fiordland Crested Penguin, which is one type of penguin is rare in the world is so small to me and other passengers who were on the deck of the ship had trouble finding them. Conservation regulations in New Zealand and rocks limit the ship to move closer to see this funny animal clearly. However, almost all passengers, including us, are quite happy to meet with one of the original inhabitants of Milford Sound

Shipping continues to place a seal colony Seal Rock, rocky land on the seafront where a bunch of cute seals are often seen sunning. It turned out just right, when he got in Seal Rock number of seals seen were lying idle, presenting a unique view of the extraordinary adorable! Satisfied looking at the family dog from the sea near the ship to take us to Stirling Falls, one of the three major waterfalls in Milford Sound are estimated to have existed 15.000 years ago. The sky slowly brightened when the ship moves back toward the harbor and we were finally able to enjoy a cruise in the sunshine.

Panorama and biodiversity Milford Sound is very special, so do not be surprised if this place became one of the most famous tourist destinations in New Zealand, and even around the world. With a location so remote fjords of Milford Sound to be the only one in the area of ​​Fiordland National Park which is accessible by road via the Milford Road with stunning panoramic exceptional. Fiordland National Park itself is the largest national park in New Zealand, covering an area of approximately 1.2 million hectares, and is part of Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area Unesco.

How To Get There

Milford Sound is located in southwest South Island, within Fiordland National Park. There are no direct flights linking Jakarta with cities in New Zealand. You should at least do one-time transit. Of Jakartra you can use the Singapore Airlines (http://www.singaporeair.com) destination transit in Changi Christchurch with Qantas Airways transit or using one-time in Sydney, Australia. You can also use AirAsia (www.airasia.com) Christchurch with one goal in Kuala Lumpur transit. Of Bali you can use for later transit Jetstar Airways in Sydney dang anti aircraft to Christchurch Qantas Airways.

How To Explore

To visit Milford Sound you should spend the night in Queenstown which is about 479km from Chirstchurch. You use the bus (www.intercitycoach.co.nz; www.newmanscoach.co.nz; and www.toplinetours.co.nz) or use the airline Air New Zealand or Jetstar Airways (www.jetstar.com) to fly from Christchurch to Queenstown. From Queenstown you could drive a rental car or tour bus trip to Milford Sound with about five hours. If you drive a car or bus, you have to leave early. Prepare yourself to face congestion during the holiday season, good jams on the way home or while using the facilities at tourist spots. You can explore Milford Sound boat ride or cruise ship. Some tour operators also offer overnight cruises, which gives more time for you to enjoy the scenery in Milford Sound. You could also try some water sports such as canoeing and kayaking.

Where To Stay

To date there is only one inn in Milford Sound, and as always you should book a place full of far-distant day.

Mildford Sound Lodge

Milford Sound Lodge offers accommodation for those of you who want to stay overnight to enjoy the atmosphere of calm after the tourists away from Milford Sound. You can choose the available accommodation, from camping in tents, simple rooms are quite comfortable, to the chalet with luxurious amenities. State Highway 94, 9640 Milford Sound, New Zealand T. +64 3 249-8071 F. +64 3 249-8075 or it can try to log on www.milfordlodge.com