Back on track

Today we drove to River Valley near Taihape.

We left around 0930 and headed to Tongariro National Park, it was quite cloudy so we couldn't really see the mountains very well! As we got closer it was clearing up! We stopped in Whakapapa (Fa-ka-papa) which is one of the ski towns close to the tongariro mountains. We did a 6km loop walk to Taranaki Falls, we went totally the wrong way as you can do it clockwise or anti clockwise, one way is mostly uphill - guess what we did! As the walk went on the clouds cleared and we got fantastic views of the mountains! Mt Doom was still a bit shrouded in clouds but still we knew it was there unlike when we had arrived!

We drove onto River Valley which is in the middle of nowhere - again! (http://www.rivervalley.co.nz) I opted for a 6 bed bunk room and everyone else went for the 16 bed dorm or doubles (there were only 7 of us on the bus!). Because of this I got the bunk room to myself! It had the most amazing views out of the windows towards the river and waterfall! Only problem was that the toilets were also outside - not so good with the sound of water falling all the time!

We had a roast dinner at River Valley. It was the best! I really appreciate roast dinners now! Most of us stayed up playing trivial pursuit and drinking cocktails!