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Raglan Travel Blogs

Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

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By saranakash
October 21st 2009

Raglan - Oct 21 Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

On October 21, we made our way to the surf town of Raglan. Raglan is popular among surfers especially because the waves tend to come ashore to the left instead of straight ahead. A few of the people on the bus took a surf class. I opted out of this one as well - I wasn’t about to spend $75 on something I knew I wasn’t going to be good at. So those of us who didn’t surf went to the beach anyways to watch the surfers and play some Frisbee. Frisbee didn’t work out so well since it was very [View Full Entry]

By PeriKiwi
October 9th 2009

For All of the Children of All Species for All Time Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

My loyal fans! Im sorry its been so long! I had a feeling that would happen... Wow so what a month its been! Raglan is like Hotel California: "Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back To the place I was before "relax" said the night man, We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave!" But finally I am breaking away- my friend Liz and I are making our way North- to where the sun is shining and its warm (no one bothered [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
October 5th 2009

The Lizard Kings... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

I spent the evening (1st October) playing cards with Shane (an Aussie), Alix and Kelly (American sisters from Maine). We drank silly amounts of tea and I lost at pretty much every game we played but all was good :-) In the morning (2nd October) I decided I'd hitch to Mt Manganui which was a good 2 and a half hour drive East from Raglan. I realised this was going to take several hitches and my first stop would likely be Hamilton. I put my thumb up and the second car picked me up, good start I thought! It was a [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
October 1st 2009

Surfing NZ... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

My first surf was awesome!! The lesson (29th Sept) began in a large hangar and we were told some safety stuff and basic techniques for how to stand up on the board. The one-pop and four step techniques, the four step technique involved leaning heavily on my right knee which was not possible for me so I pretty much only had the option of doing the one-pop technique (which is generally the recommended one anyway). The one pop technique basically involves pushing yourself off the board in a sort of press-up motion (but with your hands further back) and then landing [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
September 28th 2009

Guest at a Maori Party... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

The tour to Cape Reigna (Sept 25th) was pretty good actually. We drove all the way there on the 90 mile beach despite the fact all other bus companies turned around as they thought the tide was too high! We nearly got ourselves stuck a couple of times but we made it. It's the first time I've ever had the experience of driving on a beach, and it just seemed endless (it is more like 90km than 90 miles though). Cape Reigna was absolutely breathtaking, one of those places where you have to force yourself to put the camera away because [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
September 23rd 2009

Rainy day Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

We woke up to a really really really rainy day and when it rains here in Raglan, there really is NOTHING to do. Everything is based around outdoor activities. So, we played some fooseball, watched a movie, played some tile rummy. The stray bus came in that afternoon so our small group of like 8 people at the hostel went to like 48 people. A really bis bus had come in quite full of people. So, we made dinner quickly before all 46 other people wanted to make theirs. It was still raining after dinner so we played some more tile [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
September 22nd 2009

Relaxing in Raglan Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

surfers

Made some breakfast and was disappointed to see some clouds and rain. We had planned to go down to the beach. We ended up walking down to Manu bay to watch some of the surfers with a couple of other people. The van from the hostel then came and picked us up to take us into town. We sat a cafe and ate some cake and had a coffee before getting a few things for our dinner. The sun came back out so we got back to the hostel and sat in the hammocks again for a bit. There is a [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
September 21st 2009

Bush Hike Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

on the flying fox

Meike and I slept in for a bit this morning before heading down to make some breakfast. Sent an email home to everyone to let them know i’m alive since internet has been scarce and expensive. We decided to go on the bush walk that they have behind the hostel. But first we stopped at the flying fox they have set up here. A flying fox is just a zip line.Oh ya, to do the bush walk you have to get a map and put your names down on the chalk board incase you don’t come back they know to go [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
September 20th 2009

On the bus to Raglan Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

Bridal Viel Falls

Up early again and back on the bus. We stopped in Hamilton (where I went to the rugby game) to drop a couple of people off and to get some groceries. On our way to Raglan we stopped at the 55 meter waterfall called Bridal Veil falls. Really nice falls. A girl I met on the bus named Meike (pronounced My - kay) and I decided that we were going to stay in Raglan for a few nights so we got a room to ourselves. Raglan is like a little surfing town with some really amazing waves. Our hostel was like [View Full Entry]

By PeriKiwi
August 26th 2009

Skills, Stubbies and Sweetness Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

Im breaking boundaries, expanding my mind and growing muscles! I decided to make a small and definitely incomplete list of the new experiences I've had here during my first month down under the Down under. So here in no particular order, things I have never done before and experienced for the first time in New Zealand: Made Dulce de' leche (I think its the next easiest thing after boiling water) Made Pizza in an outdoor hand built oven using wood I cut, dough I made and some veggies I picked! Drove a Car on the left side, legally Used a hot [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan