Apparently, I was actually off down the Whanganui in a 2 person canadian canoe. Which tends to involve less water and less back strain.
We were very lucky to have good weather and a decent amount of water in the river. My pick of the experience was staying in Ngaporo campsite (2 hours paddle away from Pipiriki). It's on the inside of a right hand turn on the river, and looks out at a beautiful sandstone cliff. It's a compact campsite, and almost all the tent spots can see the river. Well worth making the extra effort to get there for your last night. Also enables you to get to Pipiriki by 12 for pick-up without rushing in the morning. Staying there does mean missing staying at Teiki marae (2 hours up river), which looks like a fine experience. Nice to see a living marae, which is looking forward, and back at the same time.
Posted by carla at April 18, 2006 10:48 PM