The green lush forest, the tropical looking palm trees, and the tight gorge makes you feel like your in the most remote places in New Zealand. The Upper Kaituna in Rotorua was the river we had our minds set on paddling. We were lucky enough to scout the river with professional kayaker Sam Sutton who owns Rotorua Rafting which takes tours down the highest commercially rafted waterfall drop in the southern hemisphere daily. He invited us on a raft trip to scout the river for SUP. While rafting the Kaituna Sam and his raft guides do an incredible job of making you fear what’s ahead while also making you feel safe. They teach you about the Maori culture and before you hit that 7 meter drop they have you say a Maori prayer asking permission to pass. I asked Sam and his guides if the front of the boat would go under and he replied the whole Freaking raft is going under! After rafting the Kaituna I was a bit intimidated by the tight channels and big drops while my husband Kevin couldn’t wait to SUP it the next day. The Kaituna has a Slalom course right at the beginning of the upper part of the river where I spent most of my time practicing and watching all the pros train. There were a ton of hard core rafters getting ready for the International rafting championships in Indonesia. Mike Dawson Olympic kayaker and World Champion from NZ offered for Kevin and I to come have dinner and stay at his place the night before we were getting back on the river on the SUP’s. He made us an amazing dinner and we talked a lot about both our travels and future plans. His training schedule inspired us and he got us all pumped up for the next day. The slalom course consists of a few fun drops and nice eddy turns which are the perfect warm-up that can be lapped over and over – and we did. Mid day we met up with Rotorua Rafting and followed their rafts down one of the most beautiful rivers we have ever seen. On the river are three Class IV drops and over a dozen amazing Class III rapids. All in all it was one of the best days we have ever had on the river and our Kialoa Insanity Swift paddles were the perfect whitewater paddles to have for their durability and lightweight. The rapids and scenery were out of this world – but the people we met and became friends with made the experience truly unforgettable and that is what paddling is all about – being together on the water. WNY Expeditioners Kevin Cullen & Christian Edie
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Its not always easy getting through an airport without stress. Now days it seems like the airlines are really limiting their hospitality. I remember when they would give you free lunch and free ear phones. Not anymore….. $5 dollars for a set of earplugs for a movie that has been out for a while. They also want you to pay for lunches and snacks now. I was on a 4 hour flight from Chicago to LAX although they did give me a complimentary drink I was not offered any peanuts, cookies, or pretzels. This was upsetting I was hungry and didn’t have time to grab something before our connection. If they want to try to get people to fly more, you think they would make it a little more comfortable and give you something to hold you over till you get to the airport where you can spend $20 on a meal. How nice would it be if you came to an airport that had lockers, a gym and showers!!! I know I’m dreaming a little but hey I would def fly more!!! Here are a couple things I have learned while traveling to make things a bit less stressful and cheaper. If your schedule is flexible and you know someone who works for an airline Fly with Buddy Passes!! Its insanely cheaper it will cut the cost of flights more than half. The thing about the buddy passes is your on stand-by. If there are no open seats you don’t get on and your rolled over to the next flight. If your not willing to be flexible then you really don’t want to fly on stand-by. Spend the extra money and get yourself a guaranteed flight when you want it. Being happy and keeping a smile on my face has never hurt me. Most of the time airline attendants are being yelled at if you can be kind and smile they take notice. They want to help you. Another great thing about buddy passes is if there’s no open seats in coach and the airline attendant likes you, you end up on FIRST CLASS!!! I’ve ended up flying first class many times on buddy passes and on long flights like LAX to Maui and back. Its so nice and def worth the wait. You get reclining chairs a three-course meal with warm nuts and a sundae to top it off. Another thing that helps cut the stresses of traveling is a good set of wheels!!! For the longest time I have been traveling with backpacks and a day bag carrying these loads around the only relief I get is when I set them back down. Watching everyone with their arms free and no baggage to carry, just wheeling around makes me want to drop any amount of money on a set of wheels. NEVER AGAIN will I travel without them. One last thing that will save you a ton of money!! Cook food the night before and bring it in a Tupperware container if you cant eat it cold be happy, smile and ask someone who works in a stand if they could heat it up for you. Most people don’t like to say no but don’t give up to easily have fun talk to people and try to make friends. The best things about airports are the people who you come across. While flying stand-by it’s a huge accomplishment if you make a flight that’s completely booked. Some people cheer for you when they call your name and let you know you made it on the flight!!! Talk to your neighbors ask them questions and make connections. People are awesome. So I guess overall, not just in airports but everywhere, try to enjoy everything and fight for lockers a gym and showers in airports… with free snacks! WNY Expeditioner - Christian |
AuthorsKevin and Christian are two athletes that love to travel. Follow their adventures as they explore the diverse places and activities they encounter around Western New York and beyond. Archives
April 2017
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