Since our last post the crew has been super busy, a poor weather summit attempt on Mt Ngaruhoe (Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings), Rafting on the Tongariro River, a bit of sightseeing and surfing at Mt Manganui in the Bay of Plenty (we also saw a pod of Orca's (killer whales) from about 100 metres away).  We are now in paihia, readying ourselves for a 3 day sea kayak trip to wind down our journey.  No internet access for a few days so i will post again soon with more tales and pictures.

Wild Hogs........

The Central Plateau Mountains Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaruahoe


Not all hard work and discomfort...


High up Mt Ngaruhoe, in very un-summer like weather


Hiking into the Murk on Mt Ngaruhoe


A puia (steamed meat) feast after rafting the Tongariro


The 'bitch' rapid, Tongariro River


The 'Hogs' looking cool at the rafting put in

The 'Wild Hogs' navigating the mighty Waiheke Island


Mike amongst some classic New Zealand bush - Waitomo


Post Luckie Strike Cave trip - nice to be in the sun


The crew mid abseil (rappel) - Luckie Strike cave system


'Above Ground' abseil practice


Putting it to use 100 metre abseil in the dark


It's not all mud, holes and coveralls


The Wild 'Hogette', Karin taking a breather


Mike ready to tear up the tarmac


The ferry to Waiheke Isalnd, with Auckland in the background


Room with a view, open air campsite - Waitomo

Well we have made it to Taupo and the second leg of our journey.

After arriving in New Zealand minus only one bag (Karin), we all made our way to the sleepy caving town of Waitomo on the west coast of the north island. After casually slipping by the large tourist operations we headed towards further west towards our overnight caving plan.

This part of the trip was a journey, where we explored the lower passages of the Luckie Strike cave system, then tramped to a 300+ foot overhanging cliff, where the crew abseiled (rappelled) to their awaiting camp underneath this monstrous overhang. After a night sleeping out with nothing but the over hang for protection, we bush bashed/climbed/abseiled our way into the Waipuna cave system following its long wide and wet passages to exit and a short hike back to the van.

After this two day mission the team headed to Curly’s Tavern for some well earned, burgers and beer.

Today we are headed south along Lake Taupo to the fishing/adventure town of Tokaanu where we are going rafting on the Class III Tongariro River, then tomorrow we are in for a big day either climbing Mt Ngaruhoe or doing the Tongariro Crossing.

Will upload some of the many photos that have been taken in the next couple of days so stay tuned for that

Happy Adventures

Team New Zealand

(aka: Karin, Kevin, Alvin, Hassan, Mike, Dave, Jon and Simon)

Happy New Year to all as the adventure continues....

After the rafting, we returned to Nairobi and were met by our driver Maxwell in a souped up safari land cruiser and departed for the Masai Mara.  Part two of the adventure , we went on safari.  We drove through the rim of the Great Rift Valley which was truly an impressive sight.  The many small villages and cities were filled with natives going about their daily lives.







Now, I cannot continue without mentioning the roads!  I will NEVER again complain about pot holes or interstate construction.  Our driver actually could not estimate the length of the drive...it depend on road conditions.  IF you have asphalt...trust me..it is swerve and dodge mega pot holes and missing asphalt for forever.  When the road becomes dirt...you are at the mercy of the weather...I cannot decide if the hard dry clay soil was more treacherous due to the hard ridges and valleys or the after rain solid mud soil.  A souped up land rover is a godsend!







More to come in the next few days..................

Over the Christmas period the Granson family (UK and USA) took an Adventure Trippin Travel vacation to Kenya.  The activities they chose for this custom family trip were, rafting the Tana River, Hot Air Ballooning, Game Drives in the Masai Mara, Bush Dinner in the Masai Mara and much more.  Over the next few days I will be updating the blog with Jo Ellen's personal diary which she has generously allowed me to use for these posts.

I hope you enjoy the words and pictures from this super cool trip.  I'm sure you will agree this is a pretty cool way to spend Christmas....

All words and photos thanks to Jo Ellen Granson and Family



Africa was as promised,  the trip of a lifetime.  Our guide was a man the age of the kids, who fit in perfectly.  He was delightful and was a joy to be with. 
Helped that his humor was as strange as my kids!!!

 
 


We had 3 phases:  First we went to both an Elephant and then Giraffe preserves...up close and personal!   THEN...white water rafting on the Tana River where we stayed in a base camp.  Beautiful setting!!! Not the Hilton...but mom managed!







Jen and Will seeking more adrenaline rush...decided to give mom more gray hairs and bungee jump!  200 ft crane over the river!  For those interested the cry of choice seems to be "OOOOHHHHH S%&*######T!!! Makes a mom proud!

Dave getting acquainted with the locals



Arrival day in Kenya, ready to check in and take a nap


Our faithful bike porters, still smiling after pushing bikes for 4 days


Tate getting inverted high above the Tana River


Cape Buffalo - Masai Mara Nation Game Reserve


Descending from Pt Lennana (background) to the bikes at Simba Tarn


The Transit Hotel, en route to the Masai Mara


Masai men dancing for the 'Muzungus'


Lioness, post feed coma, Masai Mara National Game Reserve


Lunch break on the downhill bike leg of Mt Kenya


Nairobi Giraffe Sanctuary - Feeding Time

For more images from Anday and Dave click here to visit the Adventure Trippin Slideshow Gallery

Everyone has arrived back home from Kenya now and is back into the swing of work, life etc and looking forward to a great ski season.  Most of the group met up last night (except for Dave who is up north flying helicopters) and exchanged photos, relived stories and discussed what the next adventure could be, it's going to be tough to top this one, though I have some tricks up my sleeve.  A big thanks to Tate and Kendra for the photos below.  There will be more to come in the next few days once I sort through Andy (resident photographer) and Dave's pics.
If this trip looks like it might interest you or any other Adventure Trippin Travel trips, check out www.adventuretrippin.com for more info or email me at simon.coward@adventuretrippin.com

Enjoy.........

Lioness on the hunt, dusk in the Masai Mara


Lunch spot, head of Mackinders Valley, Day 2 Mt Kenya


Acclimatisation day, high above Shiptons Hut


6:30am, summit of Mt Kenya, worth every labored breath and step.


Kendra on Pt Lennana with Batian in the background


The crew, stoked to be at the top.  Who would be anywhere else???


The boys, Dave and Andy taking it all in on Pt Lennana


The summit pose.


On the bikes, descending towards Mintos Hut from Simba Tarn.  Who put those rocks in the way??


Descending on the ridge above the gorges valley.  Kendra winds her way down the technical single track


Sagana river base, an oasis after 4 days on the mountain


Tate checking out one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, The Great Rift Valley, Birthplace of humanity


Sagana campsite from the top of the 200 foot bungy tower


That's a long way down any way you look at it........


The team (l to r) Dave, Simon, Tate, Kendra, Dave, Andy, Dan and Cindy


The Kenyan South Coast......enough said


How on earth do they do that???


Public transport, Diani Beach Kenya


Are you sure this isn't a postcard??


Masai Mara sunset, an end to another incredible day in Africa


Cheetahs on the move early in the day, Masai Mara


Wildebeest and Zebra, a somewhat symbiotic relationship.  Zebras are the eyes, the wildebeest are the nose and ears.


When the eyes, ears and nose aren't so symbiotic.........


Baby elephant cruising on the plains


Kenyan public transport arrangements (for real......)


Judimer Camp, night 1, Mt Kenya