Boarded and set off on our cruise through the sound. It was a tid cloudy but the helicopters and planes were still flying around. Saw some bottlenose dolphins which too are visitors to the sound. And some New Zealand fur seals. Encore lunch was ready. Enjoyed the fishy fish and chips and continued through the sound. There was a point that was 500m wide which gets winds of up to 100knots. The mountains on the sides of us were up to a mile tall. Made it all the way through the sound to the Tasman sea, this sound wasn't discovered until like 1920 from the open sea as it doesn't look like the water retreats as far back as it does. At the speed of our cruiser (slow) it took an hour to get out to the sea and an hour back. The boat brought its bow all the way up to a waterfall three times the height of Niagara falls although it appears much smaller than that because it's dwarfed by the mountains on either side. Being sprayed by that falls per maoi legend makes a person look ten years younger. Anywho back to the dock and off we were again. Hoping to make it to te anau and queenstown before 7pm. (2.5 hours to te anau and 2h to queenstown). On the drive back per our obscure travel guide was a walk with a "walk wire". That's right, a hike with a wire for your feet and two wires for each hand to cross some obstacle. The writer of this Book looked for years trying to find one and finally found a couple seven years in. We missed the turnoff on the way up but Wanted to make sure we caught it on the way down. 4km after cascade falls. Found it. Turned off and started our "tramp" into the New Zealand wilderness. The trail was marked with orange triangles mailed into the trees. Timer started? 10-12 minutes to the walk wire. Mud and stumps and moss covered the path as well as curious birds. Sure enough six minutes in there was a sign for the walk wire 10 minutes out. We made it to the walk wire in 11:57 but who is counting. Matt crossed first. Then I made it halfway over the raging stream Below before retreating back. Matt soon followed and we were a k to the car in 30 minutes total. Car started phew. And we were back on our way to te anau. Picked up our laundry by 5pm and onto queenstown. Drove through more country side with no place to call home in queenstown. Matt started looking at hotels as I drive. 200$ a night! And very few hotels with vacancy. Finally after a bit matt recommended he drive so I could find a hotel. Bam. Ten minutes after looking I found a room at the earnslaw motel for 120$ a night 10minutes walk to downtown queenstown. Called the hotel to confirm and we were booked. Reception closes at 8pm and per the gps we were set to arrive about 730. Made some stops along the lake including devils staircase before pulling into our hotel. Checked in out the food in the fridge and then headed towards downtown queenstown for some food and drink.
Found a pub with $5 (3.75usa$) pizzas. Sold. Ordered two and a pint and enjoyed our 20$ dinner and drinks. Walked around more of queenstown known for its nightlife and millennial hangouts before deciding we were too old. Headed back to our room to sleep in until the typical 10am checkout. Decided we want to stay in queenstown another night-- tomorrow Matt's birthday and relaxation in the town.
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