Blue Pools and Jet Boats

  Wanaka, New Zealand
Saturday, December 11, 2004

Another early start this morning which saw us leaving the Tasman Sea behind in the rear view mirror as we headed inland through the mountainous Haast Pass. We stopped en-route to explore the 'Blue Pools', taking a twenty to thirty minute trek which involved crossing an Indiana Jones style bridge suspended across the river to get to them. Six months ago you wouldn't have got me near the thing let alone cross it, but today I didn't have too much of a problem. Maybe all these adrenaline activities are starting to pay off?

Shortly before arriving in Wanaka we passed through a smaller place called Makarora. Here we had the opportunity to go on a jet boat on the Wilkin river at a much better rate than those offered in Queenstown. Wozza gave us the tip-off as we were approaching the area. Apparently, the scenery around here was stunning and the ride was so much cheaper than Queenstown, which I understand to be very expensive as it's a little more commercialised. The jet boating here was around $55 for an hour of white knuckled fun as opposed to $95 for twenty minutes on the Shotover River in Queenstown. So, we couldn't really say no. I instantly volunteered along with Igno, Chicken and a few others that made up the numbers, including one particularly annoying German idiot. We pulled over, signed up, and within about twenty minutes, the six of us had been driven down to the riverside where a small nifty looking jet boat was waiting. There was no hanging around either as a minute later we were all aboard and straight off, speeding along the crystal clear waters of the Wilkin River. What a right load of fun! These jet boats work along the same principles as a jet ski/bike. They only need four inches of water to run on and can turn on a dime, it's really quite impressive. I've got a mate back in England with a jet bike and it puts one hell of a smile on your face. This is the same I guess but with a bigger engine to cope with the extra weight. What ole' Blighty doesn't offer though is the scenery. As we were twisting and turning through the river, I was more blown away with the scenery than the kamikaze boating antics of the driver.



The Wilkin River entwines itself right in to the valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Mount Aspiring National Park. This was the first significant moment that we got a good glimpse of some of the real beauty of the rugged and natural South Island. The only word I could use to describe it would be 'breathtaking' and even that doesn't do it the slightest bit of justice. It was almost like we were directing this little rocket boat on a computer screen, like in a game, through some of the purest, most spectacular scenery you could ever create in your mind. The water flowing along the river was as pure as the driven snow and deep blue from the minerals in the rocks. The greens were warming and earthly and the snow on the mountains in the sunlight was almost blinding set against that perfectly clear deep blue sky. Then there was the ruggedness and vastness of the mountains themselves. We were completely insignificant beneath this landscape and apart from two weathered fisherman scouring the waters with spears, we didn't see another soul along the many kilometres that we jetted over. I think all of us were totally in awe as we sat there pathetically swinging our heads around. No one knew where to look. It was just another timeless moment that overwhelms you while all of your senses are mopping up like sponges taking in everything that the environment has to offer; the sounds of the waterfalls, the smells, the colours and the presence of the purest of nature.

This was all interrupted momentarily when the boatie found a small clearing and swung the boat around violently in a vicious 360 degrees which stopped our perky momentum dead and shattered our tiny little daydreams. We stopped for a few moments to take in the view and a few breaths, then we were straight off again to see more. The trip possibly did last about an hour and was well worth the money. The ride back was a little more animated and gripping, with the odd flick of the boat at the last split second before pounding in to a rock, and even more viscious doughnuts thrown in.

On the way to Wanaka, we stopped off to take a few more pictures and arrived at our new abode just after lunch - The Purple Cow. I've gotta say this really is the best yet. Chris had booked it while we were out on the boat earlier and they suggested that as there were four of us, we would be better in our own lodge. Well we couldn't have found a better abode. It's more or less our own place. We have our own bathroom and shower, our own kitchen, and little lounge with sofa and TV. All in one room. It's like being in a little apartment on holiday. As soon as we saw it we were chuffed to bits, and knowing that we were here for three nights with no fixed schedule apart from relaxation, fun and adventure, really put the icing on the cake. You should see the view from the lodge. Why oh why does a camera never do justice to what you can see with your own eyes? It sounds so stupid but I'm already looking forward to waking up in the morning and looking out of the window.

So we got settled and had a little meander around the small but charming village. It's so good to be able to actually unpack a few things knowing that you'll be in the same place for a few days. We even have our own shelves. What a privilege. I think we're in for a good three days here!