Day 7

Ditch Tubing

It' s not like we haven't done much this week it seems. I think Sunday was the only day we actually had rest in this island. Today we signed up for some tubing adventure.

When we arrived at their office, we were immediately fitted a helmet with headlamp and a pair of gloves. They hearded us into a couple of vans and drove what seems like a long long way up the mountain. They narrated that the area we were in that time, which was acres upon acres of agricultural land, belongs to Steve Case of AOL. I think he owns a chunk of Kauai having billions of money to spare. They brought us up to a vista point that was actually at the edge of a dormant crater. We can't even tell it was a crater until they pointed the fact to us (I've seen the crater on the map but wondered exactly where it was) as it is overgrown with so many plants and trees it really blended in with the tropical forest.

Kauai has an extensive ditch system that were used as an irrigation system to water their sugar plantation until 2000. Now they've quasi converted it in with their tourism offerings. What a clever way to do business, huh? Anyway, we were to sit ourselves in the inner whole of the big tube and let the ditch current carry you through the sinewy ditch. The ditch is so many miles long, some parts the water was rushing, some are pretty calm. It's fun and dizzying at spots where the water runs quicker. Our guide was very animated, funny and nice. Part of the trip involves us going through unlit tunnels. We'd hit rock walls and ceilings at times and so the helmet, gloves and keen ears for warnings was a big help when there aren't enough lighting in the tunnel.

After the ride, they brought us in a picnic area and served us lunch under the downpour of rain. It was refreshing and invigorating. Sitting with your butt on the water can be tiring and uncomfortable at times but it was a really really fun ride.

Maybe next year, we'll sign up for the zipline tour....we'll see...

Copyright 2004 Wandertrekker