Our 2nd New Zealand Great Walk, the Whanganui Journey, is actually a 5 day canoe trip down a river winding through some of New Zealand's most untouched forests.
Each couple were given a canoe, two paddles and five barrels,to keep our food & gear dry, then we were pushed off down stream to navigate the 155km river to our pick up point in five days time. It was one of the most adventurous expeditions any of us have ever undertaken.
The river was fast flowing in places with some pretty big white water to tackle along the way. It was clear that from day one that we would not stay dry for the duration!
The four of us, Team Yates and Team Gould (collectively known as team GB), shared the river with very few others, and most of those were only tackling shorter 3-4 day versions of our journey. Despite this we were first up and out each morning and always quickest to our next overnight stop - after all we couldn't let down the British rowing standards!
In the afternoon the wind would pick up making the paddling tough - we had no complaints though as everyday we were in stunning sunshine and 28+ degrees temperatures!
It was like going back in time and constantly reminded us of Jurassic Park - at one point Dave was whistling the Jurassic Park theme tune music, when he stopped we could hear a bird mimicking the tune and singing it back... very weird!!!
Early in the morning a light mist rose from the river creating a mystical light...
... the sun soon burnt through and helped warm our aching muscles.
On day four we took a 1.5 hour side trip walk to a bridge called the bridge to nowhere. Built in the 1930's when the area was supposed to have been developed it now stands isolated in a remote valley after the development plans were scrapped.
It made for a eerie reminder of how inhospitable and rugged this area really is!
That evening we all stayed at a Maori campsite, it was great hearing about the ancestors of the people and the cultural beliefs of the different tribes.
The last day the water was like a mirror as we set of on our final stage of the journey. Our barrels were considerably lighter and our belts considerably tighter. The conversation rarely strayed from what foods and drinks we would be rewarding ourselves with that evening.
However we still had some major obstacles standing (or rather flowing) in our way. Many of the largest rapids were on this last day... Yes we were more competent in navigating them but Dave might have got a bit to excited on the last one and the 1.5m wave in the heart of the rapid completely filled the canoe and left Mel & Dave still upright but pretty much submerged as they headed for the bank to bail out!
After an amazing challenge and a incredible five days team GB aching and soggy but proud and exhilarated made there way to Taupo for some beer and pizza and were treated by another out of this world sunset.
The volcanoes on the horizon a beautiful invitation for next challenge: our 3rd NZ Great Walk - the four day Tongariro Northern Circuit, we start Tomorrow!!!!
