Ferry to South Island | Happy Valley Adventures
Coasterz 'n' Canyonz Blog Day 13
From North to South Today, we left Wellington by ferry for the South Island. The crossing is 3 hours on, what looked like, an old English Cross-Channel Ferry (Pride of Cherbourg). Nothing else to say about the crossing, other than the weather was spot on and the scenery simply stunning. Here's a sample of pictures from the crossing..........
Wellington
Picton Port on the South IslandWe were lucky enough to be one of the first cars off, so an hour and a half later, we were at a place called Happy Valley, close to Nelson.
Happy ValleyHappy Valley Skywire, Nelson
Skywire, NelsonThe main reason for stopping here was a ride called the "Skywire". Simple enough to describe.....
Strap 4 people in a suspended gondola car....
Give them silly hats (to hold spectacles) and glasses (in case of bird strikes!) to wear........
Then release the brake and let the gondola fly into the valley....
Reaching up to 60mph on the way down....
Until it comes to a halt. Then, winch the gondola up to the other side of the valley and repeat the process in return.What we weren't expecting was the sheer size of the setup. The cable span is approx. 1.3Km and the height above the valley is unreal, but at no point to you feel scared or intimidated.
We must mention Pat from Ireland and daughter Kelly who now lives in New Zealand (pictured above in the centre of the gondola) who shared our ride - and it just goes to show what a small world it is, as Pat know's Rob Hackett, brother of fellow coaster enthusiast Ryan. The staff at Happy Valley Adventures also rate as some of the friendliest we've ever encountered.
Sorry North island, but after only a few hours, the South Island wins hands down on the scenery offering - it's out of this world.
Tomorrow, a day's drive along the west coast and through the mountains towards Queenstown.
Until tomorrow...........
