The Cliffs of Moher in County Mayo, Ireland. The cliffs stretch for 8 kms and rise dramatically to 200 meters above the sea. You can view the cliffs from the viewing platform which requires a paid entry. Otherwise, you have the option of hiking the cliffs yourself. This photo was taken midway through the hike.
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I have been in New Zealand for nearly five months and have seen a good share of both islands. It’s a fantastic place with stunning and diverse landscapes, friendly people, and plenty of activities for the backpacker or traveler. These are characteristics that make a location a destination – and New Zealand is definitely that. However, because of this, New Zealand’s towns, villages, and cities often feel overrun with tourism. It seems everywhere you go someone is trying to make a buck off of the unsuspecting tourist. Not in Raglan. And not at the Raglan Backpackers.
Raglan is a brilliant little surf town about two hours south of Auckland. Raglan seems to exist if nothing else because of the fantastic surf beaches which are found just outside of town. Raglan feels untouched by the tourism cloud that hangs over the rest of New Zealand. If you’re coming to the land of the long white cloud, you’ve got to visit Raglan.
While you’re there, you have two things to do. Stay at the Raglan Backpackers and Waterfront Lodge and try and learn how to surf.
The Raglan Backpackers seems to be a hostel where a backpacker checks in thinking they’ll stay for one or two nights, but ends up staying a week. And considering their limited availability at the end of the high season, I’d say that’s probably a true statement.
The backpackers sits directly on the Raglan Harbor and is literally a one minute walk away from Raglan’s small town center with bars, cafes, and restaurants. The cozy dorm rooms all open to a small garden filled with sunshine and hammocks.
You can relax after a long day surfing in either the spa jacuzzi or the infrared sauna. All free of charge. During your stay you can spend your day (or days!) using their free kayaks, bikes, or fishing supplies. But as Raglan is known for its surf beaches, you must spend an afternoon learning how to surf.
There is an excellent beginners beach found about 2kms outside of town – Ngarunui Beach . When I was there the surf was small with any good waves being quite spaced out. This was alright for me. I enjoyed my time ‘sitting out back,’ soaking up the sun, and taking in the views.
You can get a three hour, beginners surf lesson for $89 through the hostel. Or, you have the option of hiring a board and wetsuit for $30 for a half day. I opted to skip the surfing lesson and instead took a quick briefing from Suze, Raglan Backpackers’ owner. I was instructed to keep my center of gravity low, bend my knees, point my dominant foot slightly forward, and look where I want to go. That’s all I needed as I was up on a small wave the second time I tried. It felt great, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be surfing again before I leave New Zealand.
If you’re wanting to stay at the Raglan Backpackers, be sure you book your accommodation well in advance as they will fill up. You can get a shared dorm bed from $26 or a double from $70 a room. Suze and the rest of the staff were extremely friendly, hospitable, and will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your stay in sunny Raglan.
Disclaimer: Suze at Raglan Backpackers provided me with a complimentary wetsuit a surf board for the day.
Check out the Raglan Backpackers and Water Front Lodge here.
Today’s guest post comes from Stephanie Yoder, a girl who cannot sit still. She writes about travel for young people (the why, the where and the how) for Twenty-Something Travel. When not on the road she lives in Washington DC.
Very few people are actually from Washington DC. One of the odd charms of the city is that almost everyone has arrived from somewhere else to try their luck in the nation’s capital. I however, am one of those few native Washingtonians, so I figure I know this city as well as anyone.
With its diverse multiculturalism, easy public transport and plethora of free activities DC is a fantastic city for travelers. Here are a few insider tips:
Most of DC’s main tourist spots are located centrally around the National Mall. The Mall is kind of like the United State’s front lawn. You can hit up most of the Smithsonian and check out the Capitol and White House on a leisurely walk. You’ll also see locals jogging, playing softball or tossing a Frisbee against the historic backdrop. There is usually a protest or three going on somewhere.
Personally, I think the monuments are most beautiful at night, once most of the tourists have cleared out for the day. You are free to wander around in peace. The white marble lit up against the inky sky is always stunning. Sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Monument, looking out over the Tidal Basin on a sultry summer night is just impossibly romantic.
For many people DC is all business: a buttoned up, straight laced capital city. Most of the week they aren’t that far off, but certain parts of this town just come alive on the weekends. Take a Saturday morning walk through the colorful Eastern Market neighborhood for a window into a more laid back, organic local culture.
Stalls line the outside area selling everything from homemade body lotion to fresh flowers. The crepe man, quickly becoming a legend in the area, serves up scalding hot crepes both sweet and savory (my favorite is the apple gouda). Across from the main market is my favorite used book store in all of DC (And trust me, I know a lot of bookstores), Capitol Hill Books.
If there is one activity Washingtonians relish, it’s happy hour. At 5pm the bars flood with overworked twenty-somethings looking to blow off some steam. Try Dupont Circle or Chinatown for a taste of DC at play.
Later in the night cruise down to U Street for a drink at Marvins or Local Sixteen. You can end the night at Ben’s Chili Bowl – A DC institution and favorite of Barack Obama.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in DC during the muggy summertime there are a ton of free events around town to entertain you. Two of my favorite weekly traditions are Jazz in the Sculpture Garden and Screen on the Green. Watching a classic political thriller while sitting on the mall, with the capital looming above you is a classic DC experience.
Sometimes I think DC gets a bad rap for being dull and stuffy, when in reality it’s a really vibrant and fun place with tons of free things for travelers to do.
What’s your perspective on your town or city? Backpackingmatt would love to feature your tips and feelings about that place you call home in this series, A Local’s Perspective. Interested? Email me at matt (at) backpackingmatt (dot) com or use the Contact Form.
Read A Local’s Perspective to Edinburgh here.
This photo was taking in the port town of Bari, Italy. I was stranded in Bari waiting for a ferry to Greece. I wasn’t expecting much from the city, however I spent an entire evening walking it’s cobblestone old town alleyways taking in the feel of the place. It was a wonderful place to get lost.
Do you have a photo you’d like featured on Backpackingmatt? Send it to matt (at) backpackingmatt (dot) com and I’ll gladly feature it with a link back to your blog.
Backpacking Matt 
