Mukawa Rafting Trip

---

Last weekend we headed east, to Central Hokkaido, for two days of rafting new rivers. (Sal still out of action with the foot, but went along for the scenery anyway). Unfortunately for everyone, the Mukawa River, supposedly the highlight of the trip, was too low & couldn't be run. But the guys ran two other rivers, the tame but beautiful Sorachi River was the first...a reconnaissance for an upcoming school trip to this river. Then on day two, they did the Salugawa which was, by all accounts, super fun! Apparently there were heaps of drops & some technical navigation through rocks & rapids was required. At night time we camped & had a delicious meal of Kimchee (spelling??) nabe followed by red wine, beers, bourbon, schoju and lots of campfire singing, dancing and general carry on! The daytime scenery was quite stunning, as we passed lakes and rivers and wound our way through parts of National Park. At nighttime, (thankfully), we didn't encounter one of the wild brown bears native to the area...probably quite deterred by the meter high flames of the campfire and likely even more so by the terrible harmonizing and 'Gaijin go home!' being yelled at full capacity!! All in all a fun weekend away...

---

Photos

Fuji
Fuji (pronounced HOOOOOJEEEE) is one of our drivers and must be complimented on his sterling effort for the weekend's long haul.

Road Trip
Scenery is always a difficult thing to portray given the limitations of a 2D image, but this was typical of the journey.

Chihiro's Fish?
With a positive attitude and a healthy imagination anyone can be a superstar fisherman!

Pre Departure
After the usual pumping of the rafts, the gang is ready to get the boats in the water.

Martin & Sam
This shot was taken after a fierce NZ Vs. AUS river battle...both buggered from their efforts!

Ugi in Kayak
Ugi in his kayak at the goal point on Day 1.

Marshmallows
Chihiro, Sam & Gav toasting (scorching / burning / exterminating)marshmallows in the fire.

Campfire
Listening to Japanese people sing Bob Marley has to be one of the hysterical highlights of Japan!

The Haka
Who would have thought we'd see a pair of Kiwi bogans (one half Chinese, the other half Japanese) doing the Haka by campfire in central Hokkaido!

Breakdancing
AND!!!! A Japanese breakdance to accompany the circus!

Gav & Sal
11 years to the day...

Excited Campers!
These guys were pretty fired up on fresh air, udon noodles and cheap Japanese rice beer!

Murkawa River
This river was stunning - a real shame that it was too low to raft. The colour of the rock formations was amazing and the water was so crystal clear.

Binod at Murkawa
This is Binod - the pocket sized 'Arnie' from Nepal - on the bridge at Murkawa River.

Comments

[anonymous]

love the pictures!!
- Jenni in Chicago