Jetboating on the Shotover River, Skipper's Canyon - New Zealand (Jerry's Camera)

 We have reached our destination...the jetboat dock on the Shotover River in Skipper's Canyon, New Zealand.

A helicopter is hovering over us, dipping down and taking off again.

 

 

 All ready to go!

It's cold and it will only get colder with the wind and spray.

 

There's the helicopter doing what helicopters do! 

 

 

 We're off!

But, stop to admire a waterfall for only a few seconds.

Adventure is waiting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The water and canyon are absolutely gorgeous!

 

 

 fun, fun fun!

 

 

 crazy fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I think we did a 360 here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I was never able to lift my Canon up to get pictures during the action.

I didn't dare take the chance of it flying out of my hands or getting wet.

Jerry got these shots using a shock proof/water proof Fuji compact.

 

 

We did return to the boat dock all accounted for...nobody overboard!

BIG FUN!

 

 

 ...and the group pic!

 

November 30, 2012

Shotover River

Skipper's Canyon

New Zealand

 

Skipper's Canyon & Shotover River - Queenstown, NZ

 Our first viewing of the ever popular Shotover River near Queenstown, New Zealand.

It is here where we will experience our first jetboating adventure EVER!

Getting excited!

 

 

 

 

 

wOw!  the color! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drive back here was the real adventure

but worth the effort.  The bumpy gravel road is visible on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are nearly at our boat dock.

The river is shallow but not a problem for jetboats, I guess!

Can't wait!

 

Skipper's Canyon & Shotover River

Queenstown, NZ

November 30, 2012



Queenstown NZ Adventure - South Island

 Our first full day in Queenstown was the beginning of a great adventure.

Jetboating on the Shotover River in Skipper's Canyon is the Extreme Activity on the agenda!

But first, we took a van out of Queenstown and ventured into Skipper's Canyon.

 

 

 We stopped for some scenic views.

It was early morning and a bit chilly outside.

 

 

 This is a view of the road we were just on which leads back to Lake Wakatipu/Queenstown.

 

 

 Another glimpse of Lake Wakatipu.

So far the journey has been beautifully scenic just as we expected!

 

 

 Getting here, however, was VERY exciting.

We traveled on a one way bumpy dirt road (so it appears to be one way) with no railings and a LONG way down to the bottom.  We were ever so glad that our driver had been here at least once before...no he has made a lifetime of trips back here.

We stopped here for an amazing view of an area where scenes from the "Lord of the Rings" was filmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A famous "rock star" deserves multiple photos!

 

 

 Skipper's Canyon is also a place where gold mining took place back in history.

We had a chance to do a little panning too.

Jerry and I actually found 4 itty bitty flecks...didn't change our lifestyle, though.

This old shack housed some miners way back when...

 

 

 

We're nearly at the part of the canyon where the amazingly beautiful Shotover River can be viewed from the road...just so the driver doesn't look down!

I started to believe that the drive in and out of the canyon might be more of an adventure than the jetboating!

 

Skipper's Canyon Drive

November 30, 2012