A Whanganui Jouney

After researching for several months for our latest trip, we settled on the Whanganui River on the north island of New Zealand. This is the longest navigable river in New Zealand and consequently the South Pacific. The journey would take us from the glacier clad mountains of Tongariro National Park (aka mordor from lord of the rings) to the heavily forested canyons of Whanganui National Park (where maori settlements still remain). For 6 glorious days we canoed 145 km through kings country following the meandering river. The whaganui river, named by the local iwi people, literally means big harbor (in reference to its eventual outlet to the sea).

The section from Taumarunui to Pipiriki is part of the New Zealand "great walks" program, and includes over 200 rapids (grade 2), intact native podocarp forest, countless natural springs & tributaries, and the endangered brown kiwi bird. The first 4 nights we slept in our tent under the bright lights of the southern hemisphere milky way. After a mechanical failure, we moved indoors by the warm fires of the John Coull & Teike Kainga huts. We were fortunate to cross paths with only 2 other boating parties during this epic journey. The native Maori resolve to relcaim this "treasure" from the gov't, and is one of the longest running court battles over land claims.

The weather was kind as usual, with only 1 day of rain during our paddle. The feeling of floating on water, following the laws of gravity w/o roads or noise pollution was medicine, for a crazy world. I invite the masses to put down their TV remotes and go to their nearest patch "nature" (while it still exists) and listen to the land.

As an existentialist, i will never understand why people slave away their years for a few weeks off- only to spend them on a cruise ship or luxury hotel (surrounded by people paid to make you happy). I strongly believe it is important to let the mind go free from time to time, outside of the boundaries of the artificial "modern" world. There is a reason people feel refreshed after sitting by the beach side watching the waves tumble or walking through the mountains scanning the horizon. These activities engage all of our senses and put us in touch with our human self. Why is this important, just ask your neighbor if they have been stressed out lately?