Travel Diary - Day 28

Date: 6/29/97
Weather: partly cloudy
Place: Taupo, River Valley

I had a bit of the free breakfast at the hostel before we left this morning, which was unimpressive. On the way to River Valley, we stopped at a ski lodge for a hike. It was absolutely gorgeous scenery, with mountains on either side when we weren't in the forest walking along a creek. There was also a waterfall that was surrounded by ice where it entered the pool, which was a sacred Maori site. The lodge is tucked away in the middle of nowhere without a TV or radio, but it was charming. The showers and toilets are outdoors, and everyone sleeps in the same room in connected beds. I made s'mores after the $7.00 meal that didn't include a drink but tasted home cooked, and read and played cards.