New Zealand - Days 5 and 6

We finally saw the rainy days that we had expected coming to NZ in the winter. Luckily, we were in the Milford Sound area, where rainfall actually makes the scenery even better by adding to the waterfalls. Here's a quick summary of what we did, followed by things to know if you visit, and some of our favorite pictures.

• Drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound
• Milford Sound Viewpoint walks
• Night at Milford Sound Lodge Hostel
• Milford Sound Scenic Cruise with Real Journeys (11:00am)
• Drive from Milford Sound to Queenstown
• Night at Queenstown Top Ten Holiday Park (Campervan)

Things to know if you visit

• The scenery on the Queenstown to Milford Sound drive is incredible. It's worth the drive even if you don't want to do the cruise. Also, don't worry if the weather says its rainy. The rainy views are fantastic, as are the sunny views. If possible, spend an extra night to see both!
• All prices include tax in NZ, which is awesome when managing your budget.
• Bring bug repellent for Milford Sound if you plan to visit in the afternoon, especially on a rainy day
• If your campervan isn't fancy and you need to run the wires through a window (like our ghetto van), don't sleep in your van in Milford Sounds. There's too many bugs out at night, they'll eat you alive. We stayed at the MS Lodge Hostel room and paid 33 NZD per person. The campervan site is 25 NZD per person.
• Grab a burger at Ferburger in downtown Queenstown. The meat is really good. 

Fun facts

• We have been to the deer capital of NZ. This means the town contains a ton of deer farms, who knew that was a thing...
• Internet costs in Milford Sound start at $3 for 10MB. This is because there's almost no cell phone reception and the only way to get internet is through satellite.
• Quote on the bed frame in our hostel: "The Wolfpack hotter than a fire and fiercer than a shadow. The storm is coming. March 2014". This lead to a great night's sleep for Mohit.
• It turns out that green curry canned tuna, canned peas, and Uncle Ben's veg pulao is a decent meal.
• We met a German teen who was struggling to boil potatoes for his mashed potatoes. He also didn't know he needed milk and butter for his dish.
• There are a ton of signs on the road saying "Keep To The Left"... bloody tourists.
• The U.S. gave the first seven cows and three bulls for the Fiordland region of NZ to help grow livestock in southern NZ.

Days 5 and 6 Summary Pictures

Spot the rainbow!

On our way to Te Anu

You definitely feel like singing "the hills are aliveee with sound of music" at this spot

This is is the arrival rainy day and there were so many waterfalls on the mountains.

The misty spooky setting really set us up for tomorrow's sunshine

Ask us about the Kea story

This waterfall provides energy and the freshest drinking water to the facilities in the area

You don't know it but he's being eaten by mosquitoes at this point and check out the cruise boat terminal

Ponder ponder

There was almost no one there and it was all ours to appreciate in the late afternoon.

Haloooo haloooo

The next day we got a sunny day!

Fiords!

We are really picture happy for this post folks

Mirror lakes

That same field from yesterday!