The seal on the back road to Napier ends soon after the Glenfalls camp, so it was a dusty drive, made worse by the occasional logging truck that made me careful to keep well to the left on the numerous blind corners. Continue reading Lake Tutira
Tag: kayak
Glenfalls Camp Mohaka River
We spent the first night of our Christmas 2014 trip at Reid’s Farm, just before Taupo. Because it is free, it was pretty crowded, especially in the nicer areas with views of the Waikato.
Continue reading Glenfalls Camp Mohaka River
Waikowhai to Onehunga Bay
We intended to head west when we set off around the coast from Waikowhai Bay this morning, but as we rounded Cape Horn we discovered a moderate SW wind and the incoming tide were making it tough going.
Matakana by kayak
A full tide just before midday today meant that we were able to fulfil an ambition to kayak up to the Matakana market for lunch.
Ko Wua Talap
On Monday, the van taking us to the ferry picked us up at 7.30AM, before the hotel restaurant opened. We assumed we would be able to buy food at the pier, but we were driven directly to the boat and herded straight on board along with about 60 other tourists.
Okura River
This morning seemed like a good kayak day so after breakfast we loaded up the vehicle and headed down to the Okura boat ramp.
Waiake to Long Bay
When we drove to Long Bay with our kayaks yesterday, we took one look at the surf and decided to launch at Waiake instead. Torbay was crowded with small yachts, not all of them under perfect control, but we got under way without incident and paddled north through the channel between the tor and the mainland.
Continue reading Waiake to Long Bay
Upper Whau River
We kayaked up to New Lynn yesterday, taking advantage of a high “King” tide. Continue reading Upper Whau River
Hoteo River
At 10.45AM this morning we launched our kayaks into the Hoteo River, at the boat ramp beside the State Highway 16 bridge.
Pollen Island
One of Felicity’s university colleagues has recently got keen on kayaking, so we arranged to meet this afternoon for an exploration of the inner Waitemata Harbour.
Continue reading Pollen Island
Brigham Creek
This week my main preoccupation is spending time with grandson Eli, but they have gone up to visit his grandmother in Ruakaka. So today was our first opportunity to go for a kayak since our return from the UK.
Continue reading Brigham Creek
Drury Creek
There have been many occasions when I’ve crossed the Drury Creek on the southern motorway and thought it would be nice to kayak there. Today I got my wish.
Continue reading Drury Creek
Kaiwaka No2 Island
Tonight we are camping on an island in the middle of the Waikato river. Felicity is cooking steak for dinner, and the rest of us are getting our gear sorted before it gets dark.
Continue reading Kaiwaka No2 Island
Oakley Creek with Gillian
We had arranged to meet a couple of friends at Coxs Bay this morning for a kayak, but about an hour beforehand I got a text message from Gillian complaining that it was raining.
Continue reading Oakley Creek with Gillian
Paremoremo Picnic
The recent removal of all the pines at end of the road had turned the ramp to soft sticky clay when we launched our kayaks at Whenuapai this morning.
Continue reading Paremoremo Picnic
Puhoi River Paddle
We discovered where the masses go to paddle their kayaks when we took a trip upriver from Wenderholm.
Continue reading Puhoi River Paddle
Lake Ohakuri
When we looked at the weather map, the central North Island looked like the place to be over Anniversary weekend, so we’ve been exploring one of the hydro lakes on the Waikato river.
Continue reading Lake Ohakuri
Tongue Point blunder
Our plan today was to kayak up the Matakana river. We left home soon after 10 AM, with a plan to stop by the farmer’s market to pick up some goodies for lunch, then launch around midday.
Continue reading Tongue Point blunder
Thakhek and Konglor Cave
For our final adventure in Lao, we travelled six hours south of the capital to the town of Thakhek. Continue reading Thakhek and Konglor Cave
Nong Khiaw
Yesterday we took a minibus to this small town on the Nam Ou river.
Continue reading Nong Khiaw