Forgotten World Highway

We were picked up on schedule at the end of the river adventure and were transported by bus an hour back to our car.  We saw beautiful scenery along the way and were treated to a view of Mount Ruapehu the volcano which is the centre of the national park.  We had intended to take a one day trek in the park which promised to be very strenuous as it involved a 1600 meter climb up and a walk through volcanic landscapes.  We deceided to abandon this plan as we were quite done in by the effort expended in canoeing.  We decided instead to head to New Plymouth and to spend a day or two in hotels and otherwise pampering ourselves.

Our route took us down State Highway 43....the Forgotten World Highway.  This route twisted and turned through rolling, and high hilly land and for a long stretch was "unsealed" which we found remarkable for a state highway.  At one point the road went through a one-lane tunnel carved through the hill side.

We ended a three hour, 130 km drve in Stratford for the night...then pressed on the next day to New Plymouth where a dormant volcano towers over the city and coast below.

A "paddle" on the river

We got ourselves "sorted" in the morning and were taken on a one hour bus ride over a dirt road to Whakahoro, the entry point to the three day Whanganui paddle.

I am not sure what I was expecting...a gentle float down the river with a sun parasol?  Not so much!  First thing we knew we were facing rapids that we had to negotiate! This was the first of about 60+ rapids which we were to negotiate (no I am not exaggerating!). This was combined with 88 kms (no I am not exaggerating) of hard canoe paddling interspersed with nights in camp grounds along the way.  The scenery was beautiful!  A deep gorge with sheer cliffs on either side with very dense trees and ferns covering them.   We saw many caves and deep clefts with waterfalls in them. There were many ducks and cormorants sitting on the many trees that had been washed down the river.  The sun was beating down making the trip warm and bright. 

The rapids were both difficult and exhilarating and it was a hard slog...but after three days (and one dunking at a particularly violent set of rapids near the end)  we made it to Pipiriki where we were met and taken back to our car. We were exhausted, but filled with a great sense of accomplishment!  We were the old couple on the river, and made it back sooner than most of the younger folks...with, in some cases, less dunkings!

Whanganui

We took refuge in a wonderful efficiency style hotel in the small town of Whanganui.  By the time we got there it was quite late, so we reserved the next day for preparing for, and arranging final details for a canoe trip on the Whanganui River.  We had decided to do this trip because it is classed as a Great Walk. We had wanted to "do" one of the nine great walks..but aches and pains in various body parts had prevented us from doing it.  The paddle on the Whanganui River in a canoe is the only "Great Walk" which has absolutely no walking!  We contacted an outfitter and agreed to meet them early in the morning where we could transfer our belongings into watertight barrels and then into a canoe for a paddle down the river from Whakaharo to Pipiriki where we would be picked up in three days.

Cyclone Pam

Our night was filled with excitement!  We got to bed in windy conditions...but no worse than we had already experienced in our travels.  By midnight though they were gale force and our hopes that shelter would be offered by Wellington Harbour were clearly not to come true.  At 1:00 am we heard a loud bang and the tent fell inwards.  We jumped to action and took down the tent...in the now falling rain.  We stuffed the tent into the car,  jammed our belongings into nooks and crannies and made our way to the dining room which was at least warm and dry.  We installed ourselves with our mattresses on the floor and tried to get some sleep.  The rain got worse and so did the wind, so sleep was elusive.

When the sun came up we gathered up our belongings and found a tent repair shop...where the damage was revealed!  One of our high tech aluminum poles had snapped and ripped through the fly.  Fortunately the repair shop was able to make repairs and to help with a temporary fix on the pole.  (The pole can't be fixed permanently until we get home as the size is different than those used in NZ).

How fortunate that we had a safe and dry place to shelter from the storm...and we were grateful for our rip-stop fabric tent fly as the damage was contained and could have been far worse!

We left Wellington enroute for Whanganui where we were hoping to make arrangements for a extended canoe trip on the river of the same name.

Wet day in Wellington

The bad weather arrived as had been forecasted.  The temperature fell, as did the rain...making our outdoor adventures come to a temporary halt.  We decided to catch up on some errands, buy some internet time, consult the rental car company about some small mechanical issues and....most importantly....visit Weta Caves....home of special affects from LOTR and The Hobbit.  It was really great...a tour of the workshop and a revealing look at some of the props and how they are made.   It was quite interesting and fun! 

Unfortunately the rain persisted and the wind got stronger...so after supper at Fidels, a well known little cafe, we went back to the tent to act as anchors and expressed our gratitude that we are not camping in an exposed field!

Wellington

Wellington is the national capitol and is a very picturesque city with hills and beaches right in its centre.  After finding a camp ground (very busy due to a sports tournament) which is relatively sheltered, we were off to explore the downtown area.  We visited the National Museum, Te Papa, a very lovely building exploring the history and natural environment of New Zealand.  (We were very inyerested in the monsterous giant squid that was on display....and is quite notorious as it is the only one of its type on display world-wide). Thw museum also profiled some of the props used in the filming of The Hobbit.  This is just one of many films that the New Zealand special effects company Weta has been involved in...and its headquarters are right in Miramar, a suburb of Wellington.

Early Crossing

The stormy weather was approaching and we decided that it would be better to face it in a city where there could be more accomodation options....so we changed our crossing day and left two days early.  We left the South Island with heavy hearts as we had so thoroughly enjoyed our time there.  The North Island and new adventures lay before us, but we were sad nevertheless!