NZ Day 16 – Shotover to Manupouri

Another early rise for the Shotover Jetboat experience. Apparently, Saturday night’s rain cancelled the boats due to too much water and we were warned that it could be a bumpy ride. The weather hadn’t improved with drizzle and cold winds so balaclavas would have been the best idea in an open boat. The jetboat ride itself was crazy, bumpy and friggin’ freezing with cold wetness pelting the face. Luckily it only last around 15 minutes with multiple 360 degree spins and fast turns close to the rocks – basically rally driving on the water.

The rain properly came down again as we met up with James and Emma for our road trip to Doubtful Sound, New Zealand’s own fiordland. The journey took around 2 hours playing spot the dead sheep and singing to Rapture songs. We arrived in Manapouri, the starting point of the tomorrow’s tour around mid-afternoon and dismissed the idea of driving up to Milford Sound (another 2.5 hours). Instead we walked along the lake side spotting dead birds and eels (must be something in the water/air around here). Took this photo of all of us trying to jump at the same time with a daft result.