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The Sounds in South New Zealand

Saturday - February 23, 2008 - Hobart to the sounds - At Sea

All day onboard the ship it was rough, windy and cold. We pretty much just read and tried to stay warm. We slept in and laid around all day, which was OK. We didn’t really find a whole lot to do and like I say, we were just lazy all day.

Our next sea story is all about Captain James Cook:

His first real voyage departed England on August, 1768, upon the Endeavor, arriving in Tahiti in April of 1769. From there he sailed around New Zealand, having several battles with the Maori’s. He then sailed to the east coast of Australia and grounded his ship on the Great Barrier reef for repairs. The Endeavor finally returned to England in July of 1771. His second voyage began a year later, with two vessels, the Resolution and the Adventure, heading to the South Pole to chart the seas of the South Pacific. During this trip he discovered the Antarctica, Tonga, Fiji, The Society Islands, New Hebrides and New Caledonia, returning to England in July of 1775.

His final voyage began in 1776, with two ships, the Resolution and Discover. He headed to find the Northwest passage above the North American continent. He sailed around Africa stopping in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and on north towards the Christmas Islands. He then passed by the Hawaiian islands and sailed up the Alaska coast to the Arctic ocean. Upon his return he stopped at the Hawaiian Islands, naming them the Sandwich Islands, after a friend. This is where James Cook lost his life to the Hawaiian natives.

Sunday - February 24, 2008 - To the Three Sounds - At Sea

We had the brunch down in the main dinning area, but the day was pretty much the same as yesterday, windy, rough and cold. It will be another lazy day, so again we will just read and hang out. Maybe do some gambling during the day. We will be going to the Captain’s Party prior to dinner, which should be nice just to see some other people and get dressed up again. This is also a formal night. We did make it to the entertainment this evening and it was very good. I won another $5, but that’s about it. I don’t think Monty did all that well this evening, oh well can’t win them all.

Monday - February 25, 2008 - Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds

We were up very early, about 6AM, to see Milford Sound. What a lovely area, tons of waterfalls and magnificent views all around the ship. It was still a little over cast so not the best picture taking days. Somehow I lost Monty, and went to try and find him, but finally gave up and went to get a book to read and went back to the room.

The Fiords in the south-west of New Zealand were cut into the rugged mountains by massive glaciers some 20,000 year ago. There are over 14 different fiords. A Captain Stokes was the first to survey some of these sounds. Captain James Cook, in 1770; named both Doubtful sound (because he never went into it, concerned it was a dead ended fjord.) and Dusky Sound (because of somber aspect).

The next sound that we got into was Doubtful Sound, about 11:45. After that we went through Dusky Sound – which was great, as the weather had began to clear up a little bit, and looked pretty good for picture taking. One thing, we were at a loss to know how three of our boating friends got on our cruise. We know they didn't come with us, yet here they are as we leave Doubhful Sound!

Great day, lots of fantastic views, good dinner, and show. Didn’t gamble, just went to bed, tomorrow is another city. The Fiords of New Zealand are well worth the trip by themselves. several people got off for a two day excursion through the mountain tops, but I still think we got the best of the deal from the ship’s viewing points.