Stop 1 - Raglan

Keegan, Betty, and I (Lisa) started our road trip by visiting Raglan for a couple days. We got to experience camping for the first time in Betty and NZ, which is definitely different and not quite the same as back home. Camping basically means sleeping in a field... Generally no trees and no privacy Haha.. But hopefully we get better at scoping out the good campgrounds. Night 1 went pretty good, a bit disorganized and I felt a little stressed but I suppose that was to be expected.

We both were itching to do something active so started out 1 day with a pretty great hike up Mt. Karioi. Round trip was about 5hrs and the summit offered some spectacular 360 views. It was a pretty rugged track, not for beginners. Over here, they don't really believe in switch backs, you just go straight up.

The next day we walked around Ranglan, and checked out Bridal Veil Falls. Raglan has character, no doubt. It's got a pretty solid second-hand store patchouli freedom camp scene and surfers. We are neither (yet), so we didn't not necessarily feel at home.

Raglan is well known for there surfing but conditions and timing were not right for us this time. I'm sure we will be back though!

Ok and I have to ask... Why are their so many French and German Backpackers here?... its seriously like 10 (German or French) to 1 (Non-German or French).

Tourist trapometer: 7/10
Awesometer: 9/10 (Mt. Karioi) 4/10 (Raglan)Read more