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“Golf and white-water rafting” |
Although this entry is under Waiouru, the actual place we stayed at wasn't there, but just down the road. The River Valley Lodge is a kind of eco-retreat (so you have outside toilets and showers, have to scrape your leftovers into a bucket, and generally not fart too much so you do your part for global warming). In fairness it is a pretty cool place, its located perfectly for white water rafting (which is some of the best in New Zealand), and has quite a nice 'alpine lodge' feel about it.
We got here on the Thursday afternoon, and I was well up for a bit of white-water action. Unfortunately the first stumbling block came as only Will and I had signed up for the rafting, and they needed at least 4 to make it worth their while. After a bit of cajoling, Ritchie agreed to come, and we had Barton on-hand in case no-one else was up for it and staying at the lodge. The ladies had all done rafting in Rotorua, so they weren't interested.
Anyway, it turned out a mystery 4th person had already booked so we were good to go with our 3 + him. During the afternoon, we decided to divert our attentions towards a true English gentleman's game after the raucous adrenaline sport goings-on, and played a cheeky 9-hole pitch and putt at the Lodge. It was good fun (for me at least), and made a nice relaxing change.
On the morning of the 22nd, we got up early (as always !) and I tucked away a hearty cooked breakfast as rafting fuel. We got suited and booted, and headed off to the top of the rapids. After whiling away a few minutes talking about past injuries to our guide (broken pelvis anyone?), we were off, and learnt essential commands like "Hang on !", "Back on the job !", and "Get Down !" (sounds a bit like James Brown's back catalogue).
Ritchie had a bit of a shocker, and managed to fall in after an over enthusiastic back-paddle on calm pancake-like water unbalanced him. The Australian guy who was rafting with us pulled him in unceremoniously. Will had a few sticky moments, notably when we got stuck on some rocks, just on the crest of a fall. Sometimes when the boat gets stuck on rocks, you have to throw your weight across to the left or right, to try and slip past, which is a bit tricky as you're more prone to falling in.
Anyway we all got back (no broken pelvises), and showered and changed. There was such a huge rush on to get to the bus, by the time I'd had a complementary cup of soup, everyone else was off back to the bus. The guy who was running the reception had to come and get me, as in the rush I'd forgotten to pay !
Anyway, it was a great experience, I've had to use some of River Valley's stock photos from their website, as I couldn't take a camera with me.
previous travel blog entry
jellyman says:
I'm absolutely exhausted and I've only read the first few pages!! Hows the wild life?? great pictures! I thought life in the office was dull and boring and that was before reading your blog!