River Valley (April 18)

The drive this morning was amazing. Majority of it was along the lake. It reminded me a lot of Big Bear Lake and parts of Colorado. We stopped at the National Park at Whakapapa Village where we hiked to the Taranaki Falls. It was about a 2 hour return hike. This waterfall is where they filmed the scene near the waterfall in Lord of the Rings. It was a perfect hike, a little windy but nice. We ate lunch by the waterfall then headed back.

Next we were headed for River Valley. This was definitely one of my favorite places we stayed at so far. It was a cabin back down in the mountains right in the river that was exclusive and very peaceful. It reminded me ofthe days we used to go to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bills cabin. They was really nothing to do so everyone was around playing games and cards. The sleeping arrangement at this place was also quite special and unique. It was one room spilt into 2 and it slept 32 people. They beds were just big shelves and you had to pull your foam 'mattress' down and rent your duvet. It was an interesting experience but all the body heat from that many people in a room helped heat it up because it as pretty cold down there.

See the 4 pillows, yeah that's how close we were to each other

Stoked on life!

View from our door

The Bar

The Kitchen next to the bar

Taupo (April 17)

Today was a morning of hikes. By the time we got to Taupo we had done 3 hikes already. They were all beatutiful hikes, but the first one was a bit cold. We arrived in Taupo and decided to go bungying but I didn't go because I didn't want to hurt my back, but Tash still went and dunked into the water. It was very entertaining to watch.

Elina, Natasha, Me, and Amanda

Natasha, Gabriel, and Me

After we went to the hot spring which was very cool. Amanda and Elina had met us down there but Tash and I forgot to bring our suits so we just used there towels so we could at least put our feet in. We went in and it was so enjoyable, especially after all the hiking we had done earlier that day. It was similar to hot water beach but we just didn't have to dig our own holes. We luckily caught a ride back from the bungy company to our hostel. Our hostel had a gorgeous view of the lake and there was a beautiful sunset.

Natasha, Amanda, Elina, and I at the Hot Springs

We were a little sick of pasta and rice so we did a taco tuesday. After a very fillig and delicous dinner we decided to go out to Element bar next door since all of us were gettig spilt up at this stop.

Me, Tash, and Gustaf

Tash, Elina, Amanda, and Me

Gustaf and Sam 

Gustaf, Sam, Gabriel, Amanda, Tash

Gustaf, Sam, Me, Gabriel, and Amanda

It's kinda sad we were getting so close with all these people and all becoming friends but we have to part ways now because we are all on different schedules.
It was a very fun night of dancing and hanging out with the people we became good friends with.

Rotorua (April 16)

We arrived in Rotorua where I met up with Natasha at the hostel. She met up with us so late because she was in Cairns with her mom. We went to the hostel she was staying at to get all her stuff and bring it to the Base Hostel the bus was staying at. We walked around the town and got her some groceries then went for a walk around a park that had a lot of thermal hot springs. Some were mud and others were water. They smelt awful, but were so fascinating to watch.

There was a thermally heated pool and little "spa" that we went in at the hostel. It was very relaxing. After we cooked dinner and watched part of the movie 'In Time'