New Zealand - Kayaking.

In my now almost 4 years in Aus this is my 5th trip to NZ. They have mountains, rivers, and great big evil sandflies too. 17 river sections paddled in a 10 day holiday. Starting off in Murcheson with some great sections on the Buller, progressing to the Glenroy and Matikitaki.

Then off to the west coast for some of the "easier runs"there. Lower Kakapotahi, Styx (twice, once in clear blue low water, once in brown seeting high water). Wanganui, Waiho, Totara, very Lower Taipo, finishing off with the Lower Hokitika. Two suprisingly reasonable ($120, and $80 pp.) helicopter runs (Hoki, and Wanganui).

Me on Maruia Falls, near Murcheson (11m).
[Composite photo-shopped image from the new waterproof camera.]

This is the video us all doing it the first time. 2nd run a few days later was a bit more messy.

Hokitiki, finally nearing end of the grade 4 section

Bruce the legendary pilot, dropping us of at the top of the Kaikirri canyon on the lower Hoki.

Andrew gets amongst it, on the Styx.. Good one day, scary the next.

Shane looking small on the lower Wanganui crux rapid.

My ugly mug, with some of the beautiful scenery to make up for it.

Chopper loaded up and ready to go.

When they money runs out, it time to start walking in. This fancy kayak harness system lasted about 10 minutes before the boat was back on my shoulder for the next hour and half.

Cool, blue water. Me pretending to look calm and collected.

Fantastic gorges all over the show.

Warming up in a toxic green hot spring half way down the Wanganui.

Paddling from the face of the Franz Joseph glacier was never going to be a good idea. The water was cold ( Duh! ), confused and roaring down the valley like a freight train. Nevermind the boulder sized icebergs thrown into the mix.

(more videos, pics and stories to come as the editing continues..)

The Hokitika River (Favourite of the trip)

The Styx (choose your own adventure and level river, probably hardest run of the trip)

The Wanganui, in Video.