Milford Sound

The Most Beautiful Places on Earth

 

Because of the pouring rain, we did not take many photographs of this enchanting place.  Indeed, Milford Sound, a fjord located on the South Island of New Zealand, is one of the wettest spots on earth.  The above photos, however, capture the magic--mist, rain and all.  It is no wonder Peter Jackson filmed his Lord of the Rings trilogy in New Zealand.  Scenes of Milford Sound can be found in his Fangorn Forest scenes.

Milford Sound is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 3,000 feet on either side.  It has two permanent waterfalls, but on the day we visited there were hundreds upon hundreds.

 

The drive to the sound itself is spectacular.  We stopped so many times we didn't reach our lodge until nearly nightfall.  Donning ponchos, we took short hikes in the fern-carpeted canyons, picnicked in the car and expected a wizard, an elf or a hobbit to appear at any moment.  Truly a world of fantasy!