Ended up chatting to a Japanese guy last night, after the star-gazing tour was cancelled, due to rain and cloud. Hiro, from near Kyoto. We talked about NZ, about saunas here and in Japan. At the end, he complimented me on my understandable English. Was a little disappointed that the tour wasn't running, but it's a bit of money saved, and a nice night's sleep.
Though I might've slept in this morning, but no worries. Booked some accommodation for Wellington, but I'm debating changing it, and then I'll end up on a bus with Michelle 'til I head home. She was on my bus today, as well as Gea, Stefan (who is actually Dutch! whoops!), Kelsey from Canada, who I met in Mt Cook, and Sean, the RSA guy, who isn't German at all, but actually has strong Irish roots. Also Barbara, who I met a couple of times in Queenstown as a friend of Leah and René's, and Rachel's. Also Katerina, who is German and prefers Katie.
Only on the bus a while, chatting to Gea, off in Geraldine to meet our rafting guide Jason. Minibus to the lodge. Split into two boats after suiting up. Two English girls working as doctors in Christchurch are in mine, as well as Sean, and Matt and Dean from the Stray bus. Steve is our guide, an extremely funny chap, who is obviously well used to the patter of safety, warnings and instructions. He teaches us how to paddle in unison, to help steer, and how to get back into the raft. We all take our turn in falling out and hopping back in. The day is chilling on its own, but the water is glacial! The wetsuits do their job though, and we manage okay. We tumble through a few lower grade rapids easily enough, disembarking to recon the grade 5. Everyone's eager to tackle it. Both rafts descend without incident, and we pull up again to give everyone a chance to drift down the river without the rafts. Water's still freezing, but it reminds me a little of Vang Vieng.
A few more exhilarating rapids, water splashing over the prow into Fi and Rosie. A nervous moment here, lost footing there, but nobody gets tossed from the raft. It's a little disappointing, but also an achievement. Near the end, we get out and jump into the water from some rocks - 4m and 9m. No problems jumping the first, but I shriek as I leap off the second. One of the girls, Louise, has to summon all her courage to jump, but manages to do it.
Back at the hostel, we are served up a barbecue. Stuffed, a game of Uno begins - Austrian Julie, Katie, Sean, Matt and me. Joined after a while by German Nadine. Everyone else sites inside watching Ocean's Eleven. It's very much a quiet evening in.
Though I might've slept in this morning, but no worries. Booked some accommodation for Wellington, but I'm debating changing it, and then I'll end up on a bus with Michelle 'til I head home. She was on my bus today, as well as Gea, Stefan (who is actually Dutch! whoops!), Kelsey from Canada, who I met in Mt Cook, and Sean, the RSA guy, who isn't German at all, but actually has strong Irish roots. Also Barbara, who I met a couple of times in Queenstown as a friend of Leah and René's, and Rachel's. Also Katerina, who is German and prefers Katie.
Only on the bus a while, chatting to Gea, off in Geraldine to meet our rafting guide Jason. Minibus to the lodge. Split into two boats after suiting up. Two English girls working as doctors in Christchurch are in mine, as well as Sean, and Matt and Dean from the Stray bus. Steve is our guide, an extremely funny chap, who is obviously well used to the patter of safety, warnings and instructions. He teaches us how to paddle in unison, to help steer, and how to get back into the raft. We all take our turn in falling out and hopping back in. The day is chilling on its own, but the water is glacial! The wetsuits do their job though, and we manage okay. We tumble through a few lower grade rapids easily enough, disembarking to recon the grade 5. Everyone's eager to tackle it. Both rafts descend without incident, and we pull up again to give everyone a chance to drift down the river without the rafts. Water's still freezing, but it reminds me a little of Vang Vieng.
A few more exhilarating rapids, water splashing over the prow into Fi and Rosie. A nervous moment here, lost footing there, but nobody gets tossed from the raft. It's a little disappointing, but also an achievement. Near the end, we get out and jump into the water from some rocks - 4m and 9m. No problems jumping the first, but I shriek as I leap off the second. One of the girls, Louise, has to summon all her courage to jump, but manages to do it.
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