This had to be the worst day ever of cycling torture. Its only the second day but we can't imagine anything more awful. 30 mph head wind. HILLS. .... or were they mountains? It took us 3 hours to do 22.4 km so we were finally picked up (we didn't complain!!!) by the sag wagon so we could make lunch and bus to next place of fun. The cool thing is that as of today we have put more miles on our bike in two days than we have in the last 8 years!
After the ride and lunch, we went on some Jet Boats on the Dart River. This is something I can imagine Terry doing - these boats were great fun. We were able to go in water just a few inches deep way up a "braided river." This is a bunch of rivers that twist and turn and go along always changing directions or paths - the "river" is never the same so we zigged and zagged around many rocks, tree stumps, boulders, etc. It was fast and it was fun. The water is an amazing aqua blue because it is glacier melt, hope the pictures will give you some idea although they won't do it justice.
Following the jet boats, we went on a 4 wheel drive (aka 4 WD) bus bush tour. This included seeing the places they filmed Lord of the Rings as well as commercials (coors beer!) and other movies . Evidently it is a very popular place to do such things. We learned lots about trees and plants here as well as the stoat and the possum and native birds taking a dive from over 150 native species down to 35 in the last 50 years. Hence possum fur it made here - the possum is killing off the kiwi (their national bird). Only place in the world right now where possum fur is legal!
The we went into town of Glenorchy and had lunch of venison pie (seriously. venison.) and then watched a sheep get sheared. He was so cute, they let the sheep "sit" on our feet and they loved being petted. Once he was shaved he looked very cold, uncomfortable and naked although I am sure we were doing just a bit of projecting :).
Off to our next stop!
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