On the first day of December 2019, my wife and I donned a wetsuit, helmet, and lifevest at Kaitiaki Rafting near Rotorua, New Zealand to try something new and a bit scary. We entrusted our lives to the skill and experience of our Maori river guide Hemi to take us over the world's highest commercially-rafted plunge (21-feet) which is located on the Kaituna River. This was pretty easy because Hemi exuded enthusiasm and competence and he trained and coached us on what to do just before we had to do it. But in the end, you just have to "go with the flow" and see what happens. That's what an adventure is all about.
These photos tell the story of our beautiful adventure in sequence. [Note: If you click an image they enlarge and you can click/scroll through the photos. But you lose the text.]
We started out with some moderate whitewater to work us up to the big plunge.
Then a sideways slip down a small fall.
Then we approached the big Kahuna.
No turning back now!
My yellow helmet and three white ones are visible as we are engulfed by the waterfall.
Then we all disappear under the waves...
... to miraculously pop back up with the raft full of water.
At this point, we are stunned by the plunge and look a bit shocked.
But then we break out in smiles realizing we are still alive!
It was over in seconds but my entire life flashed before me! Hemi gives us the victory-peace sign.
We pose for the photographer. Hemi offers a friendly Maori "haka" tongue expression.
We made it over without flipping but the following raft was not so lucky (or were they the lucky ones since they survived it)! It was not the guide's fault. Curtis did everything right but they got caught in the falls.
One rafter falls out in the plunge.
Then a ton of falling water catches the edge of the raft and flips it.
All but two are now underwater or under the raft. I reach out to pull the first swimmer into our raft.
Then it's more adventure. We try to stand up for the gentle drops.
Hemi goes completely airborne balanced on his paddle! Hemi is quite fit.
Then Hemi invites Tricia-Rose and me to assume the "Titanic" flying posture as he moves the raft into the waterfall face.
Tricia-Rose begins to disappear under the waters.
Then she is invisible!
Her left arm reappears.
... and is gone again. Hemi gives a "haka" tongue expression of approval.
Then we're both underwater but loving it! This was a great adventure and we're glad we did it. But maybe once is enough! Cheers!
