Raglan

Trip Start Sep 06, 2004

Trip End May 22, 2005

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Where I stayed

Karioi Lodge

Flag of New Zealand Raglan, New Zealand
Thursday, October 28, 2004

Early start today, on my way to Raglan. My backpack seems to be getting heaver each time I pack it. At about 7.45am our driver Scottie pulled up out side Base to take me onto the next part of my journey. We are heading down the West coast of the North Island. We stopped at Bridal falls, as you can see from the photos, they were great. We passed threw Hamilton, we didn't stop, but from the bus it seemed like quite a depressing town very industrialized.
We arrived at our accommodation for the night karioi backpacker's lodge; it's also the Raglan surf school. This funky little lodge is situated in 110 acres of beautiful native bush with hiking trails and near the famous Whale bay, where the local surfers met. This place is pretty amazing; you have lots to do-mainly outside.
After we had all booked in Tim or host invited us to join him for a trek up the side of the mountain, he said it wasn't far and only took about 45 mins- what is it with Kiwis always underestimating stuff

Bridal Veil Fall's

. We all gathered at 4pm at start our short trek and blimy how I'm still alive is beyond me. The mountain is very steep and muddy, I was having trouble keeping up with the main group, who seemed to want to do it as fast as possible. So I went at my pace so that I could see what was around me. The tracks are very well sign posted and Tim had said that if I wasn't back in an hour he would come and get me. I finally made it to the top and started my decent. It was harder than going up, slipping and sliding everywhere. Then from behind me I heard "hi" it was orllo, a Swiss guy who was on holiday from the merchant navy, after the introductions we made our way down together as you can see from the photo, I did most of it on my bottom. Back at the lodge it was beer all round.
The main group had taken a slight detour and arrived back after us. After a shower and a change of clothes it was dinner time- Mexican. Lovely massive meal, some more beer and then bed .I was dead on my feet. My poor body doesn't know what the hell is going on I haven't done this much exercise in years... I think I'm going to pay tomorrow.

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