TRAVEL

Wrapped in Woollens — Enchanted by Wilderness: A Day in Milford Sound

A piece of heaven

Photo by the author

It was the coldest morning of our Queenstown stay — a morning that wrapped us in layers of woollens, but couldn’t shield us from the excitement that stirred within. As we stepped out into the quiet dawn, the familiar bustle of the town had faded, replaced by an almost sacred stillness. The sloping road led us to our pick-up point, where a small shed offered brief refuge from the chill.

We were the early birds, waiting under a soft grey sky, until one by one, others gathered — some lightly dressed, as if immune to the cold. And then came the voice: warm, commanding, and rich with knowledge. Our driver, soon revealed as our guide, would weave the story of Milford Sound for us, with tales of ancient landscapes and nature’s relentless artistry.

As the journey began, the sun broke through, casting golden light over the valleys. The bus snaked through ghat roads, revealing green slopes and shimmering streams, where colourful pebbles and gushing waters seemed to greet us. Clouds draped themselves across the peaks like wandering spirits, and for a moment, I imagined joining them, leaving behind every care.

At last, after a few hurried stops, we reached our cruise — the boat as if waiting just…