I am very pleased to host this guest post by Leeanne Templer in support of Blog4NZ, an initiative promoting travel to beautiful New Zealand.
Surrounded by the rich aroma of lavender liquid soap, fresh mountain stream spray and a native bush canopy, I could feel my city stresses steadily melting away. I was chilling out in the pretty stone mosaic-floored “indoor-outdoor” shower of Solscape Eco resort, just out of Raglan on New Zealand’s West Coast.
Solscape is a pleasantly jumbled and rambling collection of wooden eco baches, cabins created from converted khaki railway “cabooses,” and a grassy campsite. Soothing, clean and clear views encompass the Tasman Sea and Whaingaroa Harbour, with Mt Karioi rising like a dromedary’s hump to the Southeast. According to Maori legend Karioi was a jilted Maori Princess who, upon discovering that love was lost, lay down there to rest.
At Solscape we stepped into an American Indian style Tipi settlement for a family eco adventure. After only a few minutes walk along a fern and manuka lined track, we were in another world. Our tipi was light and spacious, with a wooden floor and four futon beds. We peeled back the wrap-around smoke flap to reveal the blue sky above.
Up in the open canopied dining room we exchanged tales with other international travelers while our pizza baked in the round white earth oven. I read about my favourite former local, Maori Chief Te Awaitaia as the solar lights flicked on around us. As a youth he defeated enemy warlord Chief Te Rauparaha in a major battle. Knowing that he had guaranteed the safety of Europeans in his territory was comforting as I listened to the surf roaring gently in the distance. The calls of tuis and cicadas gradually faded away. We tuned in to the sounds of moreporks, and beetles scuttling down the sides of the tipi. Cool air surrounded us, and the night swallowed up our first day in Raglan.
Raglan is a popular haven for surfers, artists and musicians. It has a famous left hand surf break, featuring in a classic international surfing movie. Ngarunui beach was jam packed, the black sand lit up with bright beach umbrellas, fluoro kites dipping and diving, people playing beach softball and soccer, and swimming. Surf life savers zoomed past on a little blue beach buggy with long yellow surf boards on top. Soon we all looked like soaked penguins as we jumped and splashed in the waves.
Paraponters swooped and sailed overhead as we climb back up the hill to the car. We rewarded ourselves with delicious thick blue nose steaks and crispy chips from the shop on the wharf, and settled in for another night under the stars.
No trip to Raglan would be complete without sampling the artisan shops and cafes. Tongue and Groove café on the main corner looked very cool with its surfing memorabilia, exuberant colours, and retro formica tables and chairs. The Black Sand Café had bold pictures decorating the walls, offered delicious wraps, and a fantastic childrens menu. However we were enticed by the exotic décor at “Zaragoza” café, with its Moroccan style tagine dishes, lights and carpets. I settled for a deliciously ice cold and beautifully seasoned gazpacho soup, with a touch of sour cream and a slither of cucumber. My husband enjoyed a spicy lamb tagine and our son appreciated the home made lamb pie. The milkshakes were a heavenly combination of honey and fresh caramel.
We browsed through “Atamira” designer clothes and bookstore and “Right up my Alley,” a shop with bric a brac, pottery and glass bottles in a rainbow of colours. There were enough clothes, art, jewellery, home furnishings and specialty organic food stores to keep us amused for hours.
Next morning there was a new sound to complement the shrill dawn chorus of birdcalls – the steady trickle of water down the Tipi’s rain catcher. We trudged up to the showers and ferried the luggage back to the car in the downpour, and my son flatly refused to use the composting toilets, no matter how eco friendly they were.
We had timed it just right to move to the brand new designer recycled timber eco bach. We had 180 degree views of sunset on the water and hills of the North West Coast. We could now truly appreciate the luxury of an endless warm water shower, our own private flushing toilet, state of the art kitchen and fluffy clean towels.
Four nights at Solscape was just enough to relax and rejuvenate us but I am keen to return to walk the spectacular and historic Mt Karioi tracks, visit Bridal Veil Falls, try the kite boarding and massage at Solscape and of course to revisit Raglan’s glorious galleries and cafés.
For more information:
Article and photographs were supplied by and are copyright Leeanne Templer as part of the #blog4nz project – letting you know that New Zealand is open after the Christchurch earthquake. For more stories about New Zealand, take a look at Blog4nz on Facebook.
Reading all of these #blog4NZ posts makes me want to go to New Zealand more than ever!
Tran recently posted..Colombian Futbol- Not Always The Beautiful Game
I love it. Looks very quaint and peaceful!
Grace recently posted..What you can learn from the time I escaped a dangerous scam
Raglan is such a groovy place: the perfect setting for an eco-resort like this. Great surf too.
Craig recently posted..Eight adventures to have in New Zealand
Cathy
Thank you so much for posting my article! I love the way it has published on your site. We in New Zealand really appreciate your kind gesture of support.
A million thanks
Leeanne Templer
You’re welcome, Leeanne. I really like your article and I’m delighted to post it on my site. Raglan looks like an awesome place to visit — hope I get to do that someday!
wow, this place sounds right up my alley. surfing, art, moroccan food and tipis. looks incredible. yet another one on the list!
jamie – cloud people adventures recently posted..Art on the Road – Stay Creative
Eco tourism has thrown up so many good ideas. Well done on taking part in this initiative!
robin recently posted..Seriously- Carnaval
I love how New Zealand has really embraced eco tourism ideas, it makes it such a wonderful place to visit.
ayngelina recently posted..blog4NZ- Delicious New Zealand
Looks like an amazing place. Wish we would have gotten there during our NZ adventures. And I agree with some of the other posters, all these NZ posts are making me really want to return!!
Adam recently posted..A Review of Travel Blog Success
New Zealand is a great place to visit. thanks for the tips on where to go and what to do
I’m definitely going to check this place out when we head to New Zealand. You had me at surf.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Round-Up of Favorite Travel Blog Posts 03182011 8
Thanks for all your great comments. Its really encouraging and NZ is a wonderful place to visit! Check out my blog at http://www.leeannetemplertravels.blogspot.com for some more NZ holiday inspiration.
I think a stop off here should be compulsory for us all, with the chance to unwind in such a peaceful place! Many people arouond the world would not know the magic sound of the morning bird call!!
John in France recently posted..The New Zealand Way
One of the first things I look for when I try to escape is the smell – believe it or not. There’s nothing like fresh, crisp air to help you relax.
This is a lovely article and a really great cause! Hopefully many people return to New Zealand after the earthquake to help the economy and enjoy this beautiful country.
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Side Trip- Solvang- California
Looks like a great area to escape to.
This place looks amazing. I have put the URL in Evernote so I can remember it for our next trip to NZ.
The NVR Guys recently posted..Travelogue – on a mission in Washington DC
Great article about a stunning place by a very talented author!
Yes, Leeanne is a very talented writer. I was delighted to publish her article!
Thanks to all for your comments on Leeanne’s article. I can’t wait to get to New Zealand someday and Solscape sounds and looks like a wonderful place. Judging by your comments, I’m not alone in thinking that!
[...] Raglan Eco Escape [...]
When I visited Raglan it was windy, raining and cold for the full day we could be there. Of course the following day things weren’t as bad, and just as the waves were getting good surf shops closed. We left, and I never got wet. Argh!
Federico recently posted..Interviewing Walt Balenovich, a World Backpacker on a Blue Wheelchair. Alone.