South Island Saga continued: Doubtful Sound

I poked a bit of fun at myself back when I produced the South Island Saga: 'Sailors' post, and was also guilty (a misdemeanor at most) of some exaggerations about the Pacific Ocean's roughness and the tour boat's subsequent movements. I will not do that sort of thing in describing our cruise and overnight adventure aboard the Fjordland Navigator.  

This experience was amazing. The weather cooperated, giving us a gloriously beautiful first day and night, and a misty, moisty, next morning* that contributed its own kind of allure to my pictures. I heard that the perfect conditions we experienced the first day are not common. We were especially lucky.

Let's get right to it. 

We were shown to our cabin.  The bathroom, complete with shower, is behind the door in the corner. We brought only what few items we would need for the overnight stay. Our large suitcases stayed on board our bus. The beds were very comfortable.  

We were on the top deck. This is the view toward the back of the boat from outside our cabin door. 

This is the view from the top deck as we stepped out of the passage I just showed you.  

The view from the prow as soon as I had made my way forward.  

This is the lower deck. The crew's quarters were below this deck. 

Our Captain on the bridge. 

Those who wanted to were taken on a ride on the ship's boat, and others opted to explore our surroundings in kayaks.  I observed that this boat, although it boasted an impressive motor, provided our bunch with a very sedate ride.

(I'm currently reading Corduroy Mansions, by Alexander McCall Smith. One of his characters, Terence by name, has just purchased a Porsche, which, like our boat, is undoubtedly capable of great acceleration, but he shows reserve similar to our boat driver's as he pulls out of his garage each day.  Well, he does at first anyway.  He soon starts experimenting with what happens if you really step on it.  

Look back up at the photo again and notice the strip of very bare rock in the middle of the picture on the right. (And some other, smaller bits higher up.)  

We were told by the onboard guide/naturalist that those are called slips, and happen generally after a rain when foliage is heavier and the plants at the top of the slip loose their grip on the rock.  They fall and take out whatever lies below them.  Many slips go all the way to the waterline. 

We're now on the top deck here looking toward the Bridge. We have a ways to go yet this afternoon. We're heading out to the mouth of the Sound where we'll see seals and dolphins.

Later tonight, Jeanne and I will come up here and take some pictures of the Moon, Jupiter and The Southern Cross.  And one of her bundled up against the chilly breeze with snow-capped mountains behind her.  

Make sure you keep watching.   -djf

a misty, moisty morning*

That is from a nursery rhyme that you may remember...

One misty, moisty, morning,

When cloudy was the weather, 

There I met an old man, 

All clothed in leather,

All clothed in leather.

With a cap under his chin. 

How do you do?

And how do you do? 

And how do you do again?

This is also known to be, I read, the initial lines of The Wiltshire Wedding, a song published in 1680, although it was acknowledged that this rhyme may be even older.