Kayaking Review - Karapiro, Raglan Moonlight and our wedding in kayaks...

Water, we can't live without it. we drink it, swim in it, sail on it. Scotty kayaks on it. It is his love.

Have you ever kayaked? It is an unforgettable experience on water.

Margaret Brown of South Africa, kayaking on Lake Karapiro

My first kayaking experience was arranged by Scott at Lake Karapiro. It's not like rowing you virtually sit low in the kayak. We (there was a group of us) crossed the lake into the gorge paddling up to a waterfall.

It is so peaceful, not a human sound except us and we were quiet in tune with the surroundings. Finally reaching the waterfall cascading over the rocks, into the moss and ferns. High banks on either side, closing overhead almost cut out the sunlight.

We spent a while there, every kayak had a chance to get close to the waterfall as there wasn't much space on the river. Back on land, we had bread rolls with tea, coffee and hot chocolate etc.

Margaret Brown of South Africa, moonlight kayaking at Raglan Feb 2009

Well, to top that came my next trip, full moon kayaking. There is a certain time of the year when nature provides us humans the opportunity to share one of her delights.

Leaving the beach at dusk, we kayaked up the Raglan harbour as the tide came in and the moon rose on the horizon. About half an hour later we were going into a gorge to see another waterfall. The waterfall was dark but the drops were lit by moonlight.

Most people have seen the reflection of the moon on water, but to be in a small craft on that water was magic.

Going back the fish popped up all around just to see who was disturbing their solitude. Almost floating back on the outgoing tide we beached to comforting hot chocolate and biscuits.

Memories are made from this. Is it any wonder that Scott and Dee decided to tie the knot on the water? This time the Waikato river, Scott waited upstream and then they both came to the shore together to say their vows on the water they love.

Thanks Scott and Dee, the memories are engraved forever of water and kayaking.

Margaret Brown of South Africa.

Dee and Margaret Brown moonlight kayaking at Raglan Feb 2009

Margaret is Dee's Mum, she came across from South Africa and spent 2 months with us. She celebrated her 79th birthday here in New Zealand and stayed to share our wedding day - so we had to take her kayaking!

She did two kayaking trips with us and each time her smile was grand, it was my pleasure to give her a new experience and new memories to take home with her.

Scott Devine