Stay afloat, will you!

Day 5- Honeymoon

Part of the scenery from Taupo

Wanting to do some water sports, we drove from Taupo to Pipiriki, off the beaten track and into a place where civilization is a less common word. Only about 8 – 10 houses are scene in this serene village just next to the Wanganui River. We had plan to do some canoeing and hired a local to bring us up the river. Joe (the operator) of ‘Bridge to No Where Co.’ cranked up his jet boat, strapped on a canoe and travelled up stream for about 10km before dropping us off.

Prior to our trip, he had asked us if we had done any canoeing, I told him no (just so he can give us all the tips we needed). Terence said yes. Ah well, one experienced and one inexperienced should give him a good idea of what we can handle. As we travelled up stream, calm waters intersected with some small rapids, he told us how to go through those rapids but did not convince us that we might not tip over.

Just as he left us on the river bank, he wished us all the best and told us that if we did tip over, we’d just have to swim to the side and wait as he’d be back in a couple of hours. How comforting is that?! We pushed our canoe into the water and had time to practice a little before our first rapid. We barely made it as I got a little panicky and started moving the canoe, Terence had to calm me by sternly instructing me to stay still. The rapids collided on us as the first wave partially drenched me but we were still in the canoe – safe and sound.

Having a breather of our bacon and egg sandwich

Terence: Deb's last smile before those oncoming rapids

Down the river about 2km was all calm and easy. We paddled easily through and decided to have a bite in between. Munching on our sandwiches, we enjoyed the tranquility of the river and its surroundings. Then within minutes, the sound of rushing water was heard. We were approaching another rapid, we stuffed the sandwiches in, tried to munch and swallow as fast as possible and grabbed our oars in time for the loud waves. We managed to steer ourselves away from the rapid however we got stuck on rocks! Climbing out of the canoe we dragged it back into streaming water and carried on. Not bad we thought!

The rest of the journey was tiny little waves but mostly still quiet waters as we paddled downstream. The stillness of the waters reflected most of its towering hills. We passed a few waterfalls on the way down and caught glimpses of wildlife along the river bank. We spotted about 3 – 4 species of ducks, mountain goats, sheep and even a river snake! The quietness of the river just bewilders us. Being city folks, such quietness can be quiet unusual – we really appreciated it. We also found out that the towering hills that stood on our left and right did wonders to the sounds of the river. As we spoke, echoes rippled through bouncing off into the wilderness. Such echo we thought could only be made in a cave – what wonder!


Part of the beautiful Wanganui River

This night came with a twisted tale. Tired and exhausted from canoeing and driving, we were relieved to reach Paraparaumu, a small town 45 mins from Wellington to rest for the night. Booked in at the Seaside Barnicles Lodge we lugged our bags into the reception. Cosy and welcoming, they checked us in and showed us to our room. From the time we laid eyes on the room, the twisted tale began unraveling. Having a deco of the 18th century, this place had furniture dating back to my great grandmother’s time! Old rusty fogged up mirrors, creaky cupboards, moldy window seals and a dusky smell at our arrival. If that is not bad enough, the place had only a handful of travelers making the silence almost piercing. As we walked to the toilets located 30m from our room, the silent hallway had antiques and pictures of people hung along the walls. The freakiest place had to be the toilets as large portraits of ‘dead’ people hung gently on the ill painted wall. Approaching closer to the pictures, the caption read “Great grand daughter of so-and-so, owner of Seaside Barnicles Lodge, died in 1899…”

Music: plays twilight zone...

Eerie!!!

Freaky as it is, we had paid for the place and it’s too late to move. So we slept cuddled close to each other, doors locked and lights switched on. Later in the night just before dozing off to bed here’s what happened:

Deb whispered: Goodnight dear
Terence (answering half sleepily): Did you go for that funeral?
Deb: What funeral? Huh?
Terence: There that funeral of that guy…
Deb: Which guy, darling?!
Terence: That guy la.. That guy that I read about just now when in the toilet. (He had read captions on the pics in the toilet)
Deb: What in the world? That guy!?

Yes, Terence was subconsciously talking in his sleep. The freaky Lodge had her repercussions rather quickly. It’s the last time we’d step into a place like that…

Terence: *rolls eyes* WHATEVER! Anyway... they say New Zealand is famous for their sheeps...

A herd of them came our way as we were driving

Off they go...