Now girls... All aboard to Raglan!!

What we thought was 2 days tops in our dear town of Paihia quickly turned into 3, then 4... Our new friend Laura had a car and an itinerary to head south hitting all the great spots and surf beaches along the way. Bethany negociated our way into exchanging the cost of petrol and our ability to navigate a map for a shot gun seat and a place for me to wedge in the back of our jelly bean of a car between our packs to read guide books. First stop...Raglan.

This little town, population 2,700, is home to surfers and laid back Kiwis seeking the quiet life. This town is home to 3 famous surf beaches including Whale Bay, Ng.... (I have know idea how to pronounce or spell) and M.... (same).:) These 3 spots are featured in all of the hottest New Zealand surf films.

The first day we arrived, we window shopped and rested in the most zen hostel I have ever seen.

This hostel is located on the bay and equipped with free kayaks, free mountian bikes, a hot tub, infrared sauna, hammocks, freerange eggs for 50 cents and a fully stocked kitchen to prepare our meals. There were even shelves labeled free food that was left behind from other travelers. Sounds strange, I know to us westerners, however, traveling as we, are we seem to get excited over the slightest conveniences.

That evening we bought plastic cups, wine, the NZ equivlent of Rondelle, and crackers and headed over the foot bridge and onto the bay for a 40 minute walk to the famous Ng.... beach to dine and watch the sunset.

That night we learned more about our friend Laura and her past as a bank bond trader in London and exchanged stories of the corporate lives we left behind.

That night we walked back along the beach, plastic cups in hand. Bethany and I practiced our proper English accents and pushed Laura our of her Comfort zone to speak like a Californian.

The next day we lounged, kayaked around the bay and were careful not to go under the footbridge per the instruction of our Hostel Manager, Josh. We took the bikes, the mountian way, to the beach and back, sweat in the sauna and soaked in the spa. Another Great Day in NZ.

written by

Carissa on November 16, 2010 from Raglan, New Zealand

from the travel blog: World Tour Nov. 2010- ?

tagged Sunset and Raglan

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