16th Oct - White Water Rafting

We got up real early and headed down to the tour operator to be met by a chap who was going to be our giude for the day. He took us to meet the others in our group, only two people, both Spanish, neither with much English and us with little Spanish - the giude looked worried. Into the minibus and off to the Rio Urumbamba where we were to take our first forrage into White Water Rafting. A while after leaving Cusco, Carlos (the guide) points out the river to us and it looks OK unfortunately we carry on up the hill and the rapids take a decidedly more white look aargh!!
We got off at a lodge, in an idylic setting, to donn our wetsuites, which even on the fit young Spanish Girl with the great body still look terrible. We get back in the bus, for another 15 minutes watching the rapids go by until the bridge where we are to enter the water. Life jackets on and a wee talk from Carlos on safety and we´re in the boat and off. The first section is really easy so we can practice paddling properly and not splashing like girls and get used to the comands which first Carlos tries in English but it´s all too complicated for the two Spanish so Mairi and I suggest doing them in Spanish after all we are taking lessons. So Adalante - forward, Atras - backwards, Derecho - right and Izquierda - left and off we go. I never can remember left and right in English so theres no harm in doing it in Spanish! The only other comand we were told was Inside which means there´s a danger of the boat flipping so jump to the other side of the boat - easy.

The first real rapid - probably a girly one in reality but massive for us was a bit scary and I think we lost all rythym and got a few stern words from Carols.The real fun was only just begining as the big rapids were to come with our little boat plunging down white water betweeen rocks, getting soaked into the bargin, furiously paddling and listening for instruction.

What a rush as we descend each rapid getting more confident and capable, starting to enjoy the ride, paddling in unison and celebrating when safely at the other side.

Near the end Carlos asks if we want to flip the boat and all but Mairi agree but with a little coaxing she too agrees, we all sit at one side of the boat paddels in the water and next thing I´m under the boat, freezing cold and panicing. I remember to push away from the boat and can feel air and sunshine on my face - I´m alive.

That was a rush especially trying to swin against the rapids back to the boat and elegantly being pulled on board - Ok not elegantly at all - more like a walrus flopping on board, fat and wet.

Back on dry land we are allowed in the sauna which was really great and I´m not just talking about the body of Carlos the instructor which both Mairi and I had to contain our drools.

Lunch at the lodge, at the side of the river, in the valley, surrounded by massive mountains, feeling very pleased with ourselves and enjoying the sunshine - a very nice end to the morning. The trip back into town was interesting as Carlos and the safety guy (we think was called Noel) tried to chat the two of us up and get us to go out with them that night. Unfortunately we´re off to Macchu Piccu tomorrow very early so even the pull of Carlos´s body can´t sway our decision.

We do however go to the Irish bar for a few celebratory drinks before going back to the hostal and find out the Celtic scores - surprisingly they won again.