Driving south
Hi everyone and a happy new year to all. 5/1/16 – 7/1/16

Driving southwards we thought we would stay at a couple of unfamiliar places (to us), so our first night was spent at a very quiet hamlet named Kumera. As we thought there was not much there, but a pleasant enough stay, after a long drive, albeit during a bad rain storm. We stayed at the Theatre Royal Hotel, a vintage abode where all rooms are decorated in early traditional Victorian attire, including highly patterned wall paper, carpets and linen.
Early the following morning we headed off through the usual suspects of Hokitika, Franz and Fox glaciers. We were a bit disappointed to learn that the only way onto the glaciers now is via helicopter, so that’s a no then. Our next stop was Haast, again battling the rainstorm, but again through amazing scenery and stayed at the Heritage Hotel, just short of Haast Beach. After a quick cuppa we headed off into the village and came across a building offering “things to do in Haast”. Within minutes we were signed up for a Safari jet boat River Cruise on the Waiatoto river. which was to start within the hour for half normal price as they were wanting to fill the boat up, result! Out of the car we were bombarded with the huge and very hungry Westcoast Sand Flies, (did I say huge………they were massive). (Did I say hungry. ……they bit like they had not eaten for months!) They were everywhere. We were offered spray and I think I emptied the canister just on myself. We were informed it was “slightly cold” out on the water, so we’re given jackets (I’m a lumberjack….)

The river water was a stunning bright blue coloured by the silt washed down from the glaciers and made a perfect contrast to the grey of the river banks and the green of the forest. The trip was awesome, the river twists and turns and is full of driftwood. We had a few stop offs while our guide Wayne talked about the river and it’s history. Then we were off at speed up the rapids and right up against huge rocks jutting out of the water. Then off the boat for a short ramble through the bush before heading back down the river all the way to the sea. With a few 360’s (Wayne called them the Hamilton turns) on the way back and a quick stop in a small inlet the safari was over (2 half hours) and while it did rain a couple of times I can honestly say it was my favourite jet boat trip of all. Who would have thought little old Haast ‘on the edge of the wilderness’ would have such an adrenalin filled afternoon.