Long day of travelling, left Taupo early and got on the road, nice straight roads for once so managed to have a sleep on the coach!

Stopped off at the Tongariro National Park and did a 4 mile hike to a waterfall and views over Mount Doom (Lord of the Rings was filmed here!). Very good for the hangover, even went for a dip in the waterfall which was freezing! The area was amazing, felt like I was in Planet of the Apes it was so barren!

Back on the coach and another couple of hours drive and we arrived at River Valley. Beautiful place but did feel a little bit like Wales with all of the sheep! The dorms were a bit of an experience as there were 26 of us sleeping in one room, can't say I had the best nights sleep but had to be up early anyway for White water rafting. These were grade 5 rapids, so the most adventurous type and after falling out of the raft I went underneath and then got dragged along with the current, couldnt even get out because of the stupid life jacket! Really scary and I made the mistake of asking if anyone had died there before and got told that they had actualyl lost an instructor in the same place that I had fallen in that day so that was quiet an adventure. I think I would rather jump out a plane again that repeat that experience!

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