April 2009 Archives

Kia Ora Everyone,
So, I signed up to go on a white water rafting trip hosted by the University of Waikato and put on just for me and my fellow international students and to sum it up, it was Awesome! Due to a last minute technical difficulty, the trip was changed from the intended Wairoa river to the more adventurous Kaituna river. In case you are unaware, the Kaituna river consists not only of full grade 5 rapids but also 3 different waterfalls, including Tutea Falls, reportedly the highest commercially raftable waterfall in the

WORLD at 7 meters (21 feet) tall!! As an added bonus to the change of plans, the staff did a great job of throwing in an opportunity to go Zorbing; basically rolling really fast down a large steep hill in a huge ball filled with water... I know how it sounds, but it was actually really fun! The company that we went rafting with is called Kaitaki Adventures, who I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in going. They have a strong Maori component to the trip, including a Karakia (Maori prayer) before we entered the water. Our raft even learnt a chant, in Maori, which we generally shouted as loud as possible. As well, they teach you about

the unique animals that reportedly inhabit the river, but I’ll let you figure that out for yourself...After the trip we got a free BBQ, kiwi style, and a chance to relax, play some beach volleyball, or hang out in bean bag chairs and enjoy the evening. It was a guides’ Birthday, so we also got the enjoyment of watching him get tackled, taped up, and placed in a tub of water full of booty juice... Crazy guides...  On the bus ride home we even got a really nice sunset, also free of charge, which just capped of the day perfectly. All in all, I would do it again (and hopefully will), and if you get the chance, you should as well.

        I went to Disneyland this weekend. In Rotorua. And no that’s not a mistake, I really did go there. Except that its not called Disneyland, its in New Zealand, its real name is Whakarewarewa Forest, and its home to some Epic!! mountain biking. Being from Canada: home of Whistler, the Boneyard, Northshore, etc (read: some of the best biking in the planet), I was admittedly a bit skeptical about the quality of biking we would find, especially when I arrived in Rotorua and couldn’t fin any “mountains”, a key ingredient in mountain biking….  But it after about 6 minutes in the forest I was a convert. Despite the lack of a mountain, there is no shortage of world class trails, and riders to eager to enjoy them. I was actually blown away by the skill of many of the other riders we saw that day. It felt just like being back home, and I had to keep reminding myself that no, I wasn’t in Fernie, I was in DisneyLand NZ.

     My roommate and I spent a good 8 hours riding, he’s from Rotorua, so he showed me some of his favorite trails; consensus- all good. As an added bonus, his Mom cooked us some really, really good food for the entire time I was there. All in all, it confirmed I made the right decision hauling my bike all the way over here, and I can finally say I have been to Disneyland…

         There is something urgent that I need to share...Paintball rocks. I used to play it with my brothers; we had really bad pump-action markers that we would use at our cabin, running around in the bush. It was fun, but not exactly professional quality. However, I went on Saturday to Hamilton Paintball and… It was Epic! They have two fields at their facility, a bush field and a speedball field, awesome markers, and fun games that they have dreamed up. All the classics, Capture the Flag, "Bomb", elimination... Plus a few twist and surprises. Its also not a far drive, just a couple minutes north of “the base” mall, and just off Te Rapa road.

           I went for a friends Birthday, so there were a bunch of us, something close to 15, and it was a real battle. Hamilton Paintball does a great job by the way. Our “guide” got us organized, fitted with weaponry and protective equipment, refills, and refereed all our games. Once we got sorted into teams and the games got underway, two hours literally shot by…. (Clever I know). I got hit by a certain Norwegian multiple times in the head, but our team, the Mean Green Fighting Machine, prevailed and won the day. Probably because we had the Birthday boy, and thus, all associated luck….  Randomly, Orchard Park (the residence I currently reside in here at Waikato), is planning on going to the same place next week, so I can't wait...