White Water Rafting, this time not for the faint hearted.

A group of the staff did a trip to Rotarua to go white water rafting. Rotarua is a inland area of New Zealand between Auckland, and Tauranga, and there is a lot of extreme sports here. I did a rafting tour a few weeks ago as a tour escort, but that had some smallish rapids, and was more scenic then exciting.

This time was some serious rapids. Class 4 and 5 Rapids. And a few waterfalls. We arrived and got geared up for the river. The advised us that we wouldnt need a wetsuit as the water was really warm. I wasnt so sure but i decided to believe them.

Once we got to the river they gave us the standard instructions about paddeling, and how to sit. Then we got into the raft, and then they gave us the more important instructions about how to sit, and hopefully stay in the raft for when we go over the waterfalls. And what to do if you fall out.After a bit of practice, we were very adept at paddeling and then quickly getting into the "Hold On" position.

After a few sets of rapids we came to the first test of our training. A 3 meter waterfall then a 1 meter waterfall in quick succession. We were able to survive these drops without incident and it was quite exciting.

Then a little while later we came to the real reason we were here:

The worlds largest comercially rafted waterfall. A 7.5 Meter drop.

After we watched the first raft go over the edge, and then a few seconds later appear safely in the pool below.

Then it was our turn. The Raft before us did not paddle in the few meters before the drop, and our guide said we were not going to do it the easy way. So we paddled a good 3 times, then dropped into the raft and held on.

Here is the result.

Yep we flipped.

They told us if we flip to surface underneath the raft, in the air pockets. Its safer because you wont get squished between the raft and a rock or something.

It was actully very fun flipping, and nobody got hurt. And the pictures are really cool.

And they were right, the water was very warm.

The big waterfall was the last one, but there were still lots of big rapids, and we did a lot of fun things at each one, like spinning the raft entering the rapid, and what is called surfing the rapid, which has the raft coasting at the end of the rapid and water spashes over the raft, but you stay in the same place.

Another great day in New Zealand.

Whats better then doing a Pub tour in Wellington.

Doing a pub tour as the tour escort. i.e. Getting all your drinks paid for.

The Wellington Pub Tour goes to 4 different pubs around to city. Each with a different variety of local beers, and wines.
We had a good group of 26 people going on the tour, and a local guide that gave some insight into the pubs we went to as well as his favorite beers at each one.
The first 3 pubs were in a area of the city that i had never been to, and the pubs were interesting.
The first place we went to a guy that I was talking to finnished 3 beers in 30 min, so you knew he was taking his drinking seriously. He was actually a very interesting guy, very technology, and gadget minded like me. So we had a lot to talk about.
The last pub we went to was across the street from the parliment buildings, and was called The Backbencher.
It was full of political satire cartoons, and large puppets of various people on the walls. It was a really cool pub, and was probably the best one of the tour.
At the end of the tour the couple I was talking with invited me to have dinner with them at the main dinning room. Knowing that it was the last formal night, and what they served for that dinner (lobster), I was more then happy to do so.
So i finally got my lobster, the one item we cant order off the menu downstairs. It was very tasty.

It was a great day, and it was a really good way to spend another rainy day in Wellington.

The Fires of Melbourne

Anyone who is watching the news these days will have seen the fires in Melbourne.

We were there a few days ago, apparently a day or 2 before they started.

A few tours we run go into the areas affected, so I dont think they will be offered next cruise.

Its being said that they might not be out for weeks.

Also the heat wave continues.

Nothing is going well for Melbourne right now.

...

Nothing much happening.

Just thought I would update everyone about that.

Nadal Wins

I have posted pictures from the Australian Open, as well as some for the Hobbiton, and White water rafting posts.

We watched the Tennis finals yesterday, it looked doubtful at times that Nadal, after playing a 5 housr and 15 minute match to make the finals would have enough energy left to play the full 5 sets against Federer.

But in a amazing match the worlds #1 vs #2 went the distance with Nadal winning in a very impressive match.

Below are some extra pictures I haven't posted from the other day.