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24/1/2011
I had forked out £85 for a day of white water rafting as I had never done it before. I had to do something in Swaziland that was cool and Mike wouldn't come Adventure Caving because of a dodgy knee.
So off I went early doors along with a group of four travelling Kiwis. Most of these guys had lived or were living in London though and loved it! We were briefed by our local instructor whilst Andy pumped up the 'croc rafts', and we slipped into the Usutu River.
It was a really fun experience, maybe not worth the money but I certainly had a good time. It was £75 for half a day or an extra tenner for the full day so I went for it. I shared with the guide and it was awesome paddling, trying to avoid being tipped off going down the difficult rapids. The river was fairly big and wide and very fast-flowing. Along it there were lots of reeds, sandbanks, rocks and trees. Before our lunch me and the instructor hadn't fallen off and it wasn't just down to him as I had to pull my weight too. One of the Kiwi boats kept coming off but they began to get their act together and the others were pretty good.
Our lunch was a quick pit-stop on the riverbank where we ate lots of cheese or tuna sarnies, apples, squash and a delicious Cadbury's Lunch bar.
We had come about 15km downstream and still had a long way to go. So back on came the helmet and life-jacket but this time we had to paddle across the running water and waves to get to some rocks. It involved some lifting and carrying the raft to our next launch point.
The next point was at a huge waterfall with three parts of the river running down and at the bottom creating some serious waves and eddys. We were going down grade four rapids and apparently this fall was a grade five - I'd hate to experience a grade six! From this waterfall me and the guide took off with Andy in his kayak ahead, and off we went at some speed into the huge waves crashing from the left and the right and engulfing the raft. The only way to pass it was paddling fast and going straight but we got demolished by a big heavy wave that pulled us off. I was definitely enjoying it screaming at the waves but then I was worried I was going to drown as the current was so strong. Luckily, as instructed I grabbed on to the raft rope and held on for life! Suddenly we popped up and rolled it over to jump back in. The water was nice and cool even though it was an overcast day again but I was only wearing shorts and was fine. When in the water we had to ensure we were almost sitting on the surface because dangling your legs, especially for a lanky chap like me, can cause you to get clattered by the rocks below.
Throughout the next 10km we hit more rapids, paddling furiously to prevent coming out again but at the 'Mini Zambezi' we stood little chance. We were supposed to head for the easier right-hand side of the river but we got dragged into the thick of things in the middle so we came off again! This time I couldn't grip the boat and was being pulled under but again luckily bobbed up to the surface and came across the boat and the same happened with my guide. Our paddles then floated ahead but we caught up with them and paddled to the side, holding onto a tree to wait for the others. All the others got smashed off too, it was a difficult rapid lasting 350 metres and I must have been underwater for a lot of that!
Further up river the guy was telling me about a small croc that was seen the previous day and he saw it again in the reeds but told me when we'd gone past which was no use! The water was then reasonably calm s the Kiwis began messing around flipping in the water having a laugh but the instructor guy was serious warning them that there were crocs in the water!
Back on land, I made the most of free drinks getting through beer, water and lots of soft drinks but then was holding my bladder closely for an hour for the drive back to Legends!
Found out that the Aussies we met in Mozam were staying in the Kiwis hostel so me and Mike decided to visit them and have a knees-up. I made an unusual breaded steaklets and baked beans for tea and drank plenty of Hunters Gold cider. Tried a pecan nut and maple syrup Cadbury's chocolate bar - decent!
Me, Michael and Andy trekked over to their lodge which was a bit further than we thought and we encountered a black snake on the way!
Had a right laugh with the Kiwis and the Aussies playing their version of Ring of Fire with a group of other Aussies that were volunteering and played pool. Problem was, me and Mike got seven-balled by Kiwi and American after like three shots! So down came our pants and we ran round the table seven times in shame. Embarrassing as it was, it was also cold….
Some Argentinian guy was an absolute legend. He was one of the nicest and happiest guys I have ever met and offered to put me up in Argie! Top bloke! The Kiwis that kept falling off their raft earlier in the day had a lot of shot punishments to do which ended up being cane. It's a bit like vodka and they were drinking it with the cream soda. Cream soda is big out here, and with the cane they call it 'The Cane Train'.
Oh, another drinking game, 'Oo e le peg', where someone pins the peg to someone and if the culprit doesn't notice and gets called, they have to down their drink. Alternatively, if you catch someone pegging you, they have to down it!
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