New Zealand!

Thursday 4th January! So we’re back inland and exploring the Tongariro National Park – or I wish that I could currently say I am writing my latest blog post coming from yet another cool place; i.e. the base of the three volcanoes at the heart of the park; the mountains Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

Instead I find myself posting this update from a hospital up in Rotorua, most unfortunately.

After a sweet days kayaking on the Waihohonu river on Tuesday (check my Facebook page for a video) Yesterday we went to fire up Matariki falls on the Whakapapanui river.

This is a 45ft drop, with a real tricky entry move at the current water level – also the highest waterfall I’ve ever fired up! The stoke was high on the day & we were all feeling pretty confident as we paddled down the stream to the falls.

You win some and you lose some with kayaking; I definitely lost this one! The image above shows I didn’t quite make the hard move off of the lip of Matariki falls as I’d have liked, I needed to position the bow of my boat on top of the curtain, such I could ride it down, as opposed to the curtain kicking over from the left side catching my boat here & pushing me over to the right as I began to freefall.

This error meant I was unable to tuck & brace correctly for landing, meaning I took a big compression impact through my back upon on landing.

I’m currently in hospital awaiting further scans & confirmation of my injuries, however x-rays currently showing a compression fracture to my lower vertebrae, bruised ribs & a broken nose. Feeling very sore & in a lot of pain right now – but it’s probably the best outcome I could’ve wished for, given the landing. When pushing your limits in any sport, you just have to accept you may get hurt. Here’s to hoping for a speedy recovery!

MASSIVE thank you to Anthony, Benn & Jack for the rescue, really so grateful & thankful for their skills, know-how & patience in getting us all out the incredibly deep gorge safe & me onto the hospital – thank you so much lads!

That said, it hasn’t all been accidents – the Tongariro National Park is an absolutely stunning area & we were lucky enough to see our first volcano & also the pretty cool Tree Trunk gorge – which can be fired up in kayak, just not by me anymore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So whilst I’m currently on the mend in hospital, potentially facing at 6-8 weeks out of action & making arrangements to get home, I have absolutely no regrets at all – just thankful & grateful for the help & support I have received from family & friends, as well as the outstanding medical professionals here in Taupo & Rotorua. I’m keeping positive about what has been an otherwise absolutely amazing trip, I’ve had the best Christmas & New Year break in a stunning place, with incredible company, filling each day with something incredible & memorable – I wouldn’t change a thing!

I’m hoping to be discharged in the next day or two & then able to enjoy a couple more days sightseeing prior to leaving New Zealand. Peace out!

 

 

Monday 1st January! Happy new year everyone – all the best for 2018! I’m posting this update from Gisborne, out on the east coast of New Zealand after an incredible start to the new year at the Rhythm & Vines festival.

Just 4 lads living the dream…

The east coast of New Zealand was the 1st place to see in 2018 & the 1st place in the world to catch the first sunrise of 2018 – not a bad one to start the year!

The last few days out here have seen us enjoying the simple & chilled out life by the coast – a personal highlight for me has to be surfing in the pacific ocean under the sunset!

Seemingly everyone under the age of 25 in New Zealand flocks to the east coast this time of year, for the Rhythm & Vines music festival, hence the atmosphere around the town & beaches of Gisborne district were electric – people everywhere, good vibes & good weather, awesome way to end 2017 & see in 2018!

We also took the opportunity to check out Rere falls, where there is a couple of cool rock formations, which make slides & waterfalls – perfectly suited to those wanting to jump off/slide down, or just purely chill out & enjoy the atmosphere. 

Prior to arriving in the Gisborne area, we managed to get out kayaking on the Mohaka river in the Kaweka forest park. It wasn’t the hardest river we’ve ever paddled, but the location & gorge was one of the most breathtaking we’ve ever seen. Yet another reason why I love kayaking; the places it takes you & things you see, which would otherwise just be inaccessible.

Our coastal adventures are drawing to close & we’re beginning to make our way back inland & south, towards the Tongariro & Taranaki areas, with a plan to explore some volcanoes & yep you guessed it, hopefully more kayaking!

 

 

Thursday 28th December after spending a lot of time inland, we’re starting to make out way slowly east towards the coast & eventually Gisborne for the New Year festivities.

Time for one last adventure inland around the Taupo area; rock climbing down at Kawakawa bay. The slabs can only be accessed via a 10km hike in through the jungle.

The weather was warm & the stoke was high as we made our way through the dense jungle track.

Rock climbing is something I havent done for years, but after this cool experience in such a remote place, its easy to see why people love this sport. Its physically demanding, but so rewarding when you make it to the top of a climb.

There’s plenty of rain forecast for the next few days, so we’re hoping to catch some prime river levels around the Kaweka forest park, before heading north east to Gisborne to see in 2018 in style!

 

Boxing Day! So normally Christmas Day & Boxing Day is spent at home chilling out with family, not this year… this year we spent Christmas Day kayaking on the Kaituna, swimming & jumping in the pools and BBQing in the sun!

Christmas Day itself was a lovely warm, sunny day – perfect weather for a BBQ & plenty of beers! Before  being greeted by the perfect sunset over Lake Okereka.

A warm sunny Christmas was certainly a surreal experience, being away from family was also difficult (missing the family dinner more importantly!), but it was one I could certainly get used to – especially as it meant I got to kayaking with the lads!

Again, Boxing Day was another adrenaline filled day – this time throwing myself off a 154ft bungee into the Waikato river, in Taupo!

Check my Facebook page for videos of both days!

 

Christmas Eve! So apparanetly it’s Christmas Eve today, not that we’ve noticed one bit! Maybe it’s because we’ve just been having too much fun, or maybe with the summer climate, it couldn’t feel further away from Christmas out here! But life’s good, the adventures keep coming, as do the good times – it just gives us an excuse to get extra merry these next few days, whilst taking our adventures to the next level.

Today we got ourselves a speed boat out on lake Taupo & headed out with a wakeboard, a stereo & some beers! (Media to come)

One thing which has been so incredibly cool about the north island is the volcanic activity, which produces a lot of geothermal activity (big words right!). Put simply, there are loads of super cool thermal pools to swim & chill out in. Check out Te Puia for some geothermal wonders, along with the world famous Pohutu geyser; https://tepuia.com/

 

Friday 22nd December so after getting myself sorted with kayak yesterday & doing a bit of exploring round the northern reaches of the north island, we headed to the river today in search of that whitewater goodness; the Kaituna & Rangitaiki provided!

Check out an edit over on my Facebook page!

We’ve been spending a lot of time around Rotorua, Okere Falls & Taupo since I arrived & the scenery has been incredible, the feeling of being remote, off the grid & in the jungle is what we came here for. Whilst there’s still so much to more explore, the simplicity of living on the road by the river, where the only thing that matters is the next adventure has been pure bliss!

 

Thursday 21st December after what seemed like an eternity I made it to Auckland last night! All the stress and aggravation of delays/airports/flights was instantly forgotten this morning…

 

Monday 18th December So it turns out that getting a flight to Auckland, which isn’t delayed, is somewhat difficult this close to Christmas! My flight out of Manchester was delayed, meaning I missed my connection to Auckland, but as they say, every cloud has a silver lining… I’ve been lucky enough to get an overnight stay in Dubai!

You feel like you’re in a desert, but with skyscrapers piercing the horizon, Lamborghinis tearing down the highway & the waves lapping the coast all around, Dubai reminds you you’re somewhere pretty special! The sheer cleanliness of the city & politeness of all the people within it contributes to that feeling you’re in a place which is aspiring to grow & its easy to see why this Arab state is ranked so highly as a destination.

Dubai is a place which has never really been on my bucketlist, as I’m not much of a city person, however I can appreciate the fact this place is just something else!

With more time & preparation I’d have loved to have explored more of Dubai, but given the circumstances, a wander to the beach & a sunset viewing will do I guess!

Fingers crossed we’ll have better look with travel plans tomorow!

 

Sunday 17th December So today’s the day… I’m off for a month in New Zealand, chasing whitewater, waves & warm weather – I couldn’t be more stoked!

Saying goodbye to the family for Christmas & New Year was hard, but this is what we gotta do for adventures!

(That, and my mum didn’t buy me an advent calendar this year, so I know where I’m wanted)

I intend to keep this page updated as often as possible, but for regular updates, check my social media streams!