Blogs from Raglan, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Only two weeks left – and we had to make the most of it. We had really been contemplating how many places to stop, and opted for the longer drives and a few more days in each place. It takes a lot of energy to get to know a new place. Unpacking, finding out who sleeps where, how the shower works, what shops are there, kitchen facilities etc. Not least for Ollie and Alba. At this point they been away from home longer than ever before in their lives, and for more than two months been bombarded with new experiences, new people, places, food and everything else. Waitomo campground was the next stop. We had chosen it mainly because there was a pool. It was (un)surprisingly easy to settle into for everyone. More friends to play ... read more

Nous ne sommes restés qu'une seule journée à Raglan mais nous en avons bien profité. C'est vraiment une ville pleine de charme située en bord de mer avec sa lagune. Ambiance décontractée, plein de petits commerces, de boutiques de surf et de cafés. Les kiwis chantent ou jouent du piano dans la rue, vont pique-niquer au bord de l'eau, profitent du super skate park... un chouette endroit pour chiller... Après une ballade le long de plage près de la ville, nous avons poursuivi notre route vers Manu Bay, THE spot de surf de Nouvelle-Zélande. On a flâné allongés sur l'herbe ne se lassant pas de voir les surfeurs sur les vagues ou à attendre la vague avec eux...... read more

http://www.raglan.net.nz/ If I could live anywhere in the world, I would choose Raglan. It is a small settlement, tucked away on the west coast of the North Island, and is the most beautiful place I know. Raglan is easy to get to, by car or bus. Hitch-hiking is also popular but not something I would recommend. Raglan is only 40 minutes from Hamilton and is extremely popular with (often younger) overseas visitors, especially those who love to surf. But it offers a HUGE range of activities - there is something for everyone. The link I have added will provide you with all the basic information you need about this fantastic spot. I will leave it to my photos to show you what Raglan is like at different times of the year - on clear days and ... read more

Feeling fully refreshed after a good sleep and quiet night, I went for an early morning walk. I am back and ready with several others for the surf car which leaves at 10.30am. However, just as we are about to leave, so other girls arrive and want to join, and faff around for a while, so we eventually leave at 11.30am, with me driving the car to the beach. Luckily the journey isn’t very far as the car is rather old and with 5 of us in there and 5 surf boards on the roof, I was hoping it didn’t collapse on the way! Nether the less we arrive. There is large swell with 5ft waves and a strong onshore wind, so we all surf in the small broken waves, though I did manage to catch ... read more

6 Uhr klingelt der Wecker im Bungalow und das Aufstehen der 4 Personen beginnt. Nach dem Duschen, Frühstücken und Tasche packen geht die Busreise für heute los. Eine lange Fahrt auf einige Hügel erwartet uns. Der Zwischenstopp führt uns nach Hamilton, Neuseelands viert größte Stadt, auch wenn sie nicht so groß ausschaut. Hier wurde wieder für den Abend eingekauft. Ich schließe mich vier anderen Leuten zum Abendessen an. Der Bus wartet hier vor der Bibliothek, wo endlich wieder im Internet gesurft werden kann :D Anschließend ging es mit dem Bus nach Raglan, Neuseelands bestem Surfstrand. Kurzfristig habe ich mich noch zum Surfkurs angemeldet. Unsere heutige Unterkunft ist mitten im Jungle. Es schaut einfach super idyllisch aus, so mitten im nirgendwo zwischen all den Bäumen und die Unterkünfte unterstreichen dies noch einmal :) Als nächstes geht es ... read more