Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Napier, New Zealand. Excursion: Mohaka River Rafting Trip.

The Maasdam docked in sunny Napier and I was excited to get out on my assigned tour. As soon as the ship was cleared there was a flurry of activity has guests headed out on tours or took a shuttle bus to Napier. On the pier was a chap dressed in 1920's/'30's attire with a car, greeting guests as they disembarked. Later on in the morning he was joined by some more people. A small band played music. It made for a nice lively atmosphere.

After about a 40 minute journey northwards to the Mohaka River to the Mohaka Rafting base guests were fitted with a splash jackets, splash pants and booties if they wanted them. Most of us though, preferred to wear our swimsuits or whatever clothes we came in. We then hopped back in the bus and travelled about five miles over a mountain pass to the rafting start point.

After being given life jackets we were assigned to 5 rafts with 7 or 8 guests per raft. Mine had 5 guests. Nick, our river raft guide, developed a good rapport with his 'team' and we had a load of fun as we paddled down the river, passing through canyons surrounded by native vegetation. Now and then

we passed over rapids and followed Nick's instructions and guidance as heeither used his paddle as a rudder or helped paddle. It turned out that 2 youngsters in the front of the raft were on their school's rowing team! Our raft was the last one to leave but eventually we overtook the other rafts one by one, sometimes racing each other or deliberately stopping the raft, spinning it around and splashing another raft with our paddles. We got bumped around a bit, managed to misjudge a rapid and slid up an river embankment at one point, beaching ourselves nicely. We had fun in a whirlpool, going around and around until we were giddy and then finally paddling ourselves out of it. We could swim in the river as alongside the rafts down but not many guests went in. I did! The river water was cool and refreshing and I floated downstream beside our raft for a bit.

Any photographs taken during our rafting trip was done by a Mohaka Rafting team member who canoed ahead of the rafts so that he could stop and take photos of us as we went down the river so that we had a few memories of our trip.

We eventually arrived at our end destination at an informal campsite and pulled up our rafts. The bus, the driver and our guide were waiting for us. We retrieved our towels from the bus and dried off, sitting in the warm sun as a packed lunch was handed out. The sandwiches were delicious.

Our journey back to the ship was routed differently towards the end so that guests could have a chance to see a bit of Napier. We saw where the old harbour used to be before an earthquake lifted up the seabed; the harbour master's house still stands to this day and is in use as a family home. Our drive also gave guests the opportunity to see a bit of Napier's Art Deco architecture.

Next port of call - Tauranga

Overall it had been a great day and I arrived back at the ship feeling elated. I just wish Paul could have been with me but I respect the fact that, as a crew member, he has to work even when the ship is in port. At least I have made some memories and can share them verbally with him.

The Maasdam is now on her way to Tauranga and the weather forecast is starting to go downhill. We might be in for some rain tomorrow. Time to get ready for dinner and a games evening.

PHOTOGRAPHS