By Ruth

Distance: 35 km (by canoe)

Today was our first day on the Whanganui River! Back in Taumarunui we had arranged our canoe hire and bought all our food for the next five days. We then left the food with the canoe hire place in Owhango, and hoped that it would appear along with a canoe this morning. Grant and Jacob, the people from the canoe hire place are very nice, but did not seem that organized, so we had our doubts that everything would be there. But 8:30 rolled around and there they were!

After packing our food and gear into barrels, and a very brief safety briefing from Grant, we were on our way down the river. I was steering while Elliot powered the engines up front.

We are paddling downstream and the river has some flow to help us along. It also has some little rapids which we have to navigate, which is pretty fun. But mostly we are loving being in the peace and quiet of the river, just the sound of the birds and the occasional goat bleat accompanying us.

We arrived at our campsite around 4 in the afternoon, the second canoe to arrive. It’s quite the complex with a cooking shelter, hut with gas and a wood fireplace, and room for lots of tents. We found ourselves a nice spot overlooking the river and set up our tent. Over the course of the afternoon, more and more people started to pull up on the river bank. There was a whole guided group who took over the cooking shelter to prepare what looked like a three course meal beginning with with a wine and cheese reception.

As we were finishing up supper, a guy arrived and was eyeing the small space behind our tent. To his credit, he asked us if it would be okay for him to set up his tent there. To his discredit, he proceeded to do it even once we said we would rather he go in one of the several other bigger spots available. And only then did we see the size of his tent! It was easily three times the size of ours.

We did talk to him to explain how it was a bit awkward, but he insisted this was the only flat spot he could find. Tomorrow we are planning a fairly big day of paddling, which I’m hoping will mean tomorrow night’s campsite won’t be quite so crowded.