After a leisurely morning on the beach, we hopped on the bus off to Westport. Westport is situated along the West coast of the S. Island, and alongside the stunning Buller River. We stopped at Buller Adventures right before West Port to go jet boating on the river.
Jet boats are a NZ invention, able to travel through extremely shallow water (down to 10 cm deep), as well as being able to accelerate very quickly. The jet boat we were on seated about 16 people, plus the driver - and had a 850 HP engine to power the jets used to turn and propel the boat forward. Our driver told me that the boat cost around $95,000 to purchase. The jet boat ride we had in Westport was one of the best values in NZ - $75 for 75 minutes. Compared to the jet boats in Queenstown, which are $120 for 25 minutes, it was quite the deal. But seriously, I didn't decide to do the jet boating because it was cheaper - it was FLIPPING AWESOME! We all piled in the boat, and our driver took us up the river to Hawks Crag. The river at that time was about 1.4 meters deep, but the most recent record flood was 11.8 meters deep. It was almost unbelievable to see the marks on the Crag where the river had been up to.
Apparently the river can get up to 8 km wide in places when it floods, and it has been known to carry local dairy cattle down the river with the flood waters when it overflows. Farmers then just pick the cattle up in Westport and take them back to the farm. I didn't believe that at first, but according to another Kiwi Ex girl that had seen it happen, it is true.
After a tour up the river, our driver started the fun parts - doing the crazy 360 degree turns and moves that jet boats are known for. We ended up getting pretty wet, and our knuckles were quite white after holding onto the railing so hard, but it was a great thrill!
We finally got into Westport just before supper, checked into Bazil's hostel, had supper and then grabbed a bottle of wine and our bus driver took the whole Kiwi Ex group down to the beach for a bonfire. I'm not gonna lie, but there isn't many other evening activities that can beat drinking wine by a fire on the beach by the ocean under a full moon. Incredible!
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