We trained for it and we did it!  The Huka XStream River Swim event was a 3.3 km down river adventure in the Waikato River.  Crystal clear, cold water drains from Lake Taupo into the Waikato making it New Zealand’s longest river (425 km). The lake itself is smack dab in the middle of the North Island.  It’s highly visited for the water sports, features and high-thrill activities.   Our swim race started up stream, closer to the lake, and continued down river along a winding route through shallow sections, cool rock formations and a deep abyss.  The gentle current kept us moving along, if not always following the fastest water “line.”  We didn’t break any records.   Kai struggled to focus on swimming and not the scenic rock formations and occasion fish along the bottom.  The  bungee jumpers swinging above from a cliff face and  occasional pop up rock islands kept me vigilant.

“Apres-swim” included stripping off the form-fitting swimming wetsuits in the cool water. It’s much easier than on dry land and a nice opportunity to show off the shoulder pump! 

Waikato River swim section…

No event of any kind here, and I mean anything that draws a crowd, is complete without a “sausage sizzle”!  Sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, and a grilled sausage on a white bread folder is the best $2 you’ll ever spend. So, yes, we chowed down during the post-race “prize-giving” festivities. Apart from the usual nice give outs,  mystery prizes included an iron and brand new flat screen TV.  Lucky TV winner, not so lucky lady took home an iron!

After that it was nap time for Kai and good time for Des and me to check out Huka Falls proper just further down the river.  The rapids form quickly and the foaming blue water is absolutely spectacular to see.  We skipped the jetboat ride to the falls but the lookout point was super cool. Google Huka Falls on youtube to watch kayakers run the falls. Some guy road it on a boogie board…craaazy!

Lake Taupo is bigger than Singapore– you hear that over and over again. Not sure what to make of that other than it’s massive.  As I said, the area has plenty of water sports, mountain biking and is “training ground” for the Ironman New Zealand, held here in March.  Our weekend trip was short which was fine for Des as a heatwave was on.  Taupo is at the base of a mountain (volcano), it’s dry and sunny at the moment. This gave us the chance to fully appreciated the high UV index.    Oh, there are thermals too, steam rises here and there forming small hot water pools. Our lodge had an enclosed thermal spa with 2 dip pools  that looked like something out of horror movie.  A dark room with 2 square concrete sided baths to dip in.  Kai and Des waded in. We heard it was “therapeutic”.  Friday night sunset view from Acacia Bay, a section of Lake Taupo.

 

Kai wanted a thrill and we made a last minute spontaneous decisions to parasail over the bay  Saturday afternoon.  Conditions were perfect.  Our boat captain, looking all the California surfer type, turned out to be part owner, super competent and attentive.  We launched from the boat and spent 12 minutes sailing.  Max height was close to 500 ft (40 stories) but it seemed like a 1000 to me!  Kai wondered about all the worse case scenarios while laughing, thanks partner! Oh, what a view of the pristine blue and green waters. We had the whole bay to ourselves, just us our boat the 2 jetskiers riding it’s wake.

A Perfect holiday.

Happy Holidays from down under!

We are enjoying the summer break and Christmas season.  Kai kicked it off with his first  volunteer job at the Govett- Brewster/ Len Lye Art and Film Gallery.  All things silver (reflecting the building’s chrome exterior) was the theme for their “float” in the annual Christmas Parade. Kai supervised the kids and made banners, robots, and costumes during the month’s long preparation.  Don’t think we’ve ever all walked in a parade before. Several thousand Kiwis waved and stared as we did our routine.  It was a “hoot”! as Grammy Bess would say!

And happily, Kai landed a booth at a maker market fair in Oakura.  He sold a few card and posters and had a great time.  Check out his website, send a photo and he’ll create a commission pop art portrait. Very cool.  www.kaikiddart.wordpress.com 

The families that live in Oakura have been super welcoming.  Several Americans committed to living in New Zealand and/or married a Kiwi and are now NZ citizens.  A couple are physicians who work with Des at the base hospital.  The town of Oakura is quaint, tight knit and spectacular.  It’s an 8 km drive through farm land and on the way to better surf spots along the Surf Highway 45.  We are considering moving out that way.  Yesterday we attended a huge potluck Christmas party hosted by Candy (a psychiatrist) and her husband Dominic (a golf pro).  Lots of folks live on lifestyle properties of  2-4 acres. Most support horses, alpacas, hogs and chickens.  Their place is pretty awesome looks down to the ocean.   Everyone at the party had an interesting story or were characters themselves.  The food was all incredible but the freshly caught crawfish (lobster) was divine!  The guests’ countries of origin included Germany, Switzerland, UK, NZ and U.S. 

Orienteering and Rogaining is a big sport here. I did my first event with new friends Sue and Jenny.  Sue is the map reader so I just had  to keep up with her running around Puke Kura park for an hour.   They do 6 hour adventure racing/orienteering events for fun.  There’s a 3 hour one that’s more my speed in February.  They  comprise point to point racing via bike, kayak, climb or running.  Des is getting quite good at bike “rogaining” and participates in  Wednesday night races. The challenge is finding points on an ummarked map  and then  answer a question about the location.  Get as many as you can in 2 hours. We don’t have pictures of such activities; no time and no one really takes photos until the bitter end.   But here are some maps! Below are snapshots of leisurely bike rides on town trails and paths.  Andie is a serious mountain bike racer and European tour guide.  I’m getting stronger on the bike and hope to hit the real trails with her soon.  Today Des and I did a duathlon at Mangamahoe. Run -mtn bike -run. I did short course and Des the long.  It was “accomplishing” as Kai used to say.  Sorry, no photos of that either but it was beautiful and perfect weather.

Kai is rehabbing his knee and finding other, gentler activities.  He can bike the rolling walkway path and has put in lots of miles going to friends’ houses. Yeah, who needs to drive a car when you can bike 15-20 km daily?

We are all training for open water swim races this season. Ngamotu Beach is predictably calm and perfect for swimming.  

We discovered a little shoe school in Wellington and Kai is now a cobbler.   It took 6 hours of focused sewing, cutting, and hammering.  Result- homemade pair of high top sneakers.  Job well done!

Welly was expectedly windy and happenin’! We took in a Esher’s Follies-like political comedy show.  Most of the humour  was lost on us (there are 5 political parties in NZ government) but we laughed a long.  Wellington  Zoo’s Aussie walkabout trail was interactive!  

The New Plymouth Christmas concert was held on December 16th at the Puke Kura park.  The outdoor concert area called the “bowl” was filled with 15,000 jolly souls. Ballerinas, kids, and hip hop dancers performed  and traditional holiday music blasted out to the crowd.  The festival of lights will light up the park nightly for the next month.  It was a wonderful, free community showcase.  I sat with the Sibandas (Aby is the radiology head of department and Lucy is a pharmacist).  Kai cruised around with friends.  Merry Christmas to you all!!