Dec. 26, 2023, Kaitieke to Whakahoro and Canoeing 35 km to John Coull Campsite, km 1166,6
This morning, Roger and Shannon provide breakfast again. They bring toast, jams, peanut butter, and scrambled eggs. I quickly eat some toast since we have to get ready for the pick-up to the landing for the canoe.
Roger and Shannon have breakfast in the garage with all of us. Below, there is a picture of that garage.
Soon we say our goodbyes Ari get to the landing for the canoe trip. A guy from the canoe company helps fix our barrels that contain our food and gear.
And then, we are off on the river. The person who weighs the most sits in the back and steers the boat. The person in front (me) is supposed to be the motor. It's not that difficult. What needs some time is getting a feeling for how to tackle the rapids. The first rapid almost capsizes us, but we avoid it by quickly shifting our weight. With every rapid, we get better and better. Still, they are all different in speed and current, making each one a little challenge.
There are no pictures of them because approaching a rapid, we had to be very concentrated and alert to make the right moves at the right time to not capsize. And we did not. Not once.
I very much enjoy the silence on the river. We will be paddling for three days. There is no mobile reception and nothing else beside the river and the rocks/waterfalls and rainforest.
It feels so good.
After 35 km, we reach the campsite for tonight, set up camp, wash, eat and sleep.
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