I like being busy, I like the hum of people working and laughing and enjoying life. I like tapping away at my computer and I love Instagram.
I also love getting into a place so beautiful and quiet with no wifi or work to distract me it’s hard to return to the real world. Real Journeys and their overnight trip to Doubtful Sound is one of those places. It’s silence and wildlife calls become embedded into your brain so much so, you crave it’s sounds when you’re lying in your bed listening to the milkman whistling in the street. Turn off the phone, pack your wooly hat and allow the #fjordlife to say hello for a couple of days.
Doubtful Sound is one of those destinations that you never forget, it gets into your bones and your memories just like that Christmas where Grandma gave you a ghetto blaster. You don’t realise it until you’re getting off the boat at the end of the two days kicking and screaming. “I demand some more silence. Don’t bring me back to wifi Real Journeys“.
Starting our adventure from Queenstown the epic human Liz Carlson from Young Adventuress and I boarded the coach and enjoyed a insightful and informative journey down to Lake Manapouri (you can also get there yourself). From there a boat ride to Wilmot Pass and a short ride through the rain forest (with photo opportunity stop) to Deep Cove where you board your vessel.
Along with 60 other excited passengers we were shown our beds (lovely twin room with shower and amazing views of the Sound) introduced to the games area (more on that later) and importantly when and where meals would be served. There’s an energy aboard that we’re about to witness something wonderful, beautiful and sacred but we’re not sure of what yet. The journey getting there itself is wonderful and we haven’t even sailed out yet. Before we know it we’re moving and a gentle sway of the water reminds you that you’re not on land anymore.
We settled into a routine of sipping tea, eating muffins, playing scrabble and enjoying the changing landscape. Meals are held all together in the main room and the food is outstanding.
Birds, seals (apparently dolphins but I missed them!) and penguins dotted around the sounds. A wonderful moment on the second day where the boat engine is turned off, everyone is asked to not talk and you can sit in total silence for a time. It’s eerily beautiful. And I didn’t want it to end.
There are so many of you who’ve commented about your trip to Doubtful Sound and I won’t forget that time aboard The Navigator. A simple, beautiful time to see a place that you can’t get to by car. Go, experience and breathe again.
Who’s been to Doubtful Sound or Milford Sound? Which did you prefer?
Real Journeys
Doubtful Sound
I was guest aboard The Navigator with Real Journeys but, as always, my views are my own.
Gorgeous but was anyone brave enough to go swimming?
You’re teasing the travel bug that’s been whispering in my ear.. this looks fantastic (from both pics and your descriptions). I might be a little jealous 😉
You must visit! We’d love to show you around 🙂
It is so beautiful ? How am I suppose to spend 8 hours in corporation now? I just want to take my backpack and go somewhere where I won’t have wifi. Thank you for motivation
BTW amazing pictures, what camera are you using?
Oh you must visit! I use a Sony A6300 and its wicked!
Hi Jane! Freaking out over this write up, everything sounds and looks amazing!! My friend and I reeeeally want to do this but its just slightly outside our budget. We’re going crazy trying to find any type of deal lol
Ahhhh it’s amazing! You could wait for local specials but they sometimes take a while to come round! Good luck!