Leaving Taupo was a sad day ): We had both grown rather fond of it.. We were picked up at 9.30 bus steve our new bus driver. We both disliked him straight away. He stopped every 30 minutes for food or for a bloomin "kodak moment." We also stopped at Tongariro national park for a 2 hour walk so that he could play some golf! Half way round the heavens opened and we were literally soaked! honestly it looked like we had just had a shower with our clothes on!! When we got bas to the bus (just over an hour later) we had to wait around freezing cold and soaking wet for steve to finish playing golf. We then stopped 5 minutes down the road so people could jump off a rock if they wanted !?! He wouldnt let us get our bags out to change so we had to sit on the bus drenched! I was not happy!! I think he knew about it too...

8 and a half hours after leaving Taupo we reached River valley!! The beds were soooooooooooooo comfy! It was like sleeping on a cloud :) but we didnt get much of a lay in as my alarm went off at 7.15 as we needed to get ready for white water rafting :D after being suited and booted we jumped in the van and drove 30minutes up the river. The rafting was so much fun. although we were both a little nervous after eharing the night before that a boy had drowned the previous year after being sucked under the current :/ !! Half way down we had a chocolate break..a very nice surprise! We also had like a mini drill for wht to do if we fell out the raft. This wasnt so much fun. the current was so strong and at one point i was sucked under! I honestly thougght i was going to drown. after that i was determined not to fall out! Luckily the raft didnt flip during our time on the river. although we did come close on a few occasions! Nearing the end Sam (our instructor) pulled the raft up by this rock and we were told we could jump off it if we wanted. Of course we weren't gunna turn it down. i got really nervous and wouldnt jump for ages but when i did i screamed out the whole valley :D! Once we'd finished we got back on the kiwi bus and headed on for Wellington.

Yesturday we decided to go Te Papa museum in the morning seeing as it was freeeeee :D after which we headed down to Oriental bay for a spot of sunning. Neither of us could be bothered to cook in the evening so we spoiled ourselves and went out for a thai which was totally scrummy! We decided we'd make the most of it and headed into town after..didnt get in till 4am!!

This morning (well i should really say this afternoon) it was safe to say my head was a little sore! nothing a milkshake couldnt sort out though :) It's been super hot so we spent another day on the beach...life's hard! Tomorrow we're heading up to the botanic gardens to see a jazz band. Think we're gunna make ourselves a picnic :D Leave Wellington on monday and head to Nelson for walks and beaches !!

Love to all from new zealand!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx