Raglan

Paradise found, everyone. Kia Ora from Solscape Eco Retreat in Raglan. How I managed to stumble upon WWOOFing at this little slice of paradise must have been some unbelievable stroke of luck, but here I am, overlooking Indicators, Manu Bay, and Whale Bay...3 of the most famous surfing breaks in the world. From my driveway. I can watch guys ride waves for over a minute (the record I saw was 63 seconds). And it's like that. Every day. No matter how big or small the swell is...everyone surfs, all day, every day.

I was nervous coming into Raglan becuase again,I had really high expectations of the place, and I was also planning on spending quite a bit of time here because I am not working for my accomodation. But as my ride drove me down to the beach to check it out, the scene before me literally took my breath away. Line after line of swell, barely anybody in the water, no houses or resorts to speak of, just miles upon miles of black sandy beach, wind-sheltered coves, rolling hills of rainfores and the wild pacific ocean. It is BEAUTIFUL here.

So I arrived at Solscape and had a seat on the front porch because the receptionist had gone for a drive. And as soon as I sat, I was joined by Joana, from Barcelona. We ate Organic cookies and chatted for a bit, and then a crowd of people emerged from their bungalows, all talking surfing and surfboards and repairing and wetsuits and ocean and beach and AHHHH the place was buzzing. And I sat in pure and unadultrated bliss as I watched everyone get geared up to go out for their 3rd session of the day, people who have come from all over the world to be here just for surfing. And then, as if we had been friends for ages, I was borrowing a mate's board for my first real surf sesh in New Zealand. And we all walked in a pack down the hill to the ocean, where I got my first real look at The Beach.

being out in the water reminded me of Corolla. Everyone was hooting and cheering each other on, no matter if you were a beginner or an expert. Everyone was just HAPPY to be out there, whether they were catching waves or just paddling around. There was a cheerful comradery that I did not expect; I thought the localism here would be intimidating. But it wasn't. And when I caught my first wave in New Zealand (on a 6' 0 fish, nonetheless!) My new friends were just as stoked as me. And we stayed out there until after sunset, which for us here is about 9:30 pm. And then I crumbled into my bed after the longest but most amazing day in New Zealand ever. Solscape will be my home for the next 3 weeks at least. But from talking to everyone here, some who have been here for 4 or 5 months, I may just have to extend my stay.