Day Six - January 7 - River Valley

After that hard night partying, we were lucky to sleep in. The Kiwi Ex bus left Taupo at 9:20 am, with a first stop in Turangi for food. Or next stop was Tawhai Falls - aka Gollum's Waterfall. *insert some kind of Katie-is-a-hobbit joke in here.* Anyways, these water falls are very beautiful, and very Lord of the Rings-esque.  We arrived in River Valley around 1 pm. The drive there was along a very winding and narrow road, amongst huge hill ranges covered in sheep and dairy cattle. River Valley Lodge is a beautiful and remote place, the river runs right along the lodge, and it is very relaxing. It rained the entire time we were there, but I still couldn't help being stunned by the scenery. That evening before supper I did a session in the wood fired sauna with some Kiwi Ex girls from Ireland. So glorious to steam in the sauna, and then run out into the rain when we got too hot. Supper was a charcoal BBQ'ed lamb roast and fresh salads. So delicious after the very busy last few days.