Rafting (Bali Part 5)

Today, we went on our first White Water Rafting Tour on the Ayung River. When we arrived at the starting point, we had to sign a waiver stating that we would not sue anyone in case of injury or death - quite reassuring... However, we also had to sign a waiver for the activity 'Teambuilding', which made me wonder what exactly we would be doing...

We also had to confirm that we were participating in the rafting voluntarily - which was only partly true. One of us was concerned about the three-meter waterfall along the way...

But we were there and ready to go, and that's when the other two participants who were going to be in our boat arrived. They were a young couple from Holland who were spending their honeymoon in Bali. First, we were equipped with paddles, helmets, and life jackets. We were also instructed to avoid hitting our seat mates with the paddles, and how to hold the paddles properly.

Then we got into the boats. After about a minute, so much water had entered the boat that we thought we wouldn't be able to complete the 11 km if it continued. We rocked over rocks with some tilt and feared capsizing. Of course, we were also informed about the correct behavior when capsizing - but to calm down panicked tourists, it was quickly added that boats rarely capsize.

However, the boat proved to be much more stable than it initially appeared, and although we were wet, we didn't sink.

We passed waterfalls, stone carvings of the Ramayana myth, and a jungle landscape during the ride.

Our guide happily sprayed us from behind or threw sticks at the front row. He also took us under two waterfalls, shouting 'free shower'.

While the ladies in the second row diligently followed the guide's instructions and paddled, the gentlemen in the front row filmed the surroundings or took photos...

The feared waterfall was thankfully designed with a slope on the side for the boats, so all worries were in vain and we slid down the side instead of falling.

After a little less than two hours, we reached our destination, having taken a short break along the way.

After showering and drying off, we were treated to hot ginger tea and lunch.