Jet boating
Our day started on script, boarding a bus headed for Milford Sound. Mary H. had heard from someone that the road was closed yesterday and she was concerned that we might not be able to make it. Sure enough, about 20 minutes into our trip we learned that the road was closed. Gareth, our trip leader, was working on an alternative plan for the next couple of days. Basically, the jet boat excursion we had scheduled for tomorrow would happen today and we’d learn later that we’d be going to Doubtful Sound tomorrow.
The jet boat tour wouldn’t start until after lunch and so we had a couple of hours to do something on our own. Frank and Verna Witt rescheduled their appointment to paraglide.
paragliding looks like it could be fun
We went up the gondola too to see the view and take some photos.
It was a beautiful morning to get a birdseye view of lake Whakatipu.
After lunch we boarded another bus to go up to the dart river where many scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed.
massive waterfall
The boats were fast and fun, and the scenery was magnificent. These boats draw about 1 meter of water when sitting still, but at speed can operate in only 10 cm of water!
One of our single members was quite taken with one of the boat pilots. The other scenery is quite good, too.
Waterfalls everywhere.
Speed and beauty.
We were discouraged from using our phones while the boat was spinning as we were instructed to keep two hands on the (heated) handrail in front of us while we spun. But I could get some video while we scooted up the river in a more or less straight line.
We closed the day with a nice group diner at “Fins”. It was a good and very full day. Tomorrow should also be quite full. We’ll get an early start (again), meeting to board the bus at 7:20.