Jaunted - Tag: New Zealand

Raglan: Adventure Travel: Kiwi Surf School

pbb — 2006-11-02T09:20:01-05:00

It's no secret that Down Under has great waves and a great surf culture. To get in on another part of the south-of-the-equator action, head to the west side of New Zealand's North Island and the town of Raglan. The laid-back town was featured in The Endless Summer, and it offers plenty of hiking, kayaking and bars full of shredders boasting about tackling huge breaks.

For the best Hang 10 experience here, sign up for the Raglan Surfing School. For you green thumbs (toes?) out there, beginner lessons start at $60 US and include board rental, transportation and a post-surf sauna (!). The Surf Adventure packages will get you into North Shore territory: you'll be thinking surfing 24/7 while crashing at the Karioi Lodge with your fellow waveriders. (There's a definite hippie vibe at the lodge, but don't sweat it, bro, it's part of the fun.) A five-day surf-and-stay package will set you back only $206 US. Did we mention it's almost summer in the Southern Hemisphere right now?

[Photo: Magalie L'Abb�]

Related Stories:
· Television Travel: Lost Surfin' Safari [Jaunted]
· Everyone Loves New Zealand [Jaunted]

Rugby for the Elderly

amandak — 2006-09-07T06:41:54-05:00

The oldies are coming! If you're in Wellington, New Zealand in the week starting on the 29th of October, you might notice a sudden increase in gray hair, bad driving and soft vegetables. The Golden Oldies Rugby Festival 2006 will haul in 200 rugby teams and 5000 "oldies" from more than 20 countries, including Russia, Spain, Japan, England, France, Samoa and the US.

To be fair, there probably won't be too many false teeth flying during the matches: The rules of the "golden oldies" clubs define eligible players as being over 35 years old. A bit past the best playing years of their life, but not totally past it. To the tournament itself they add a full festival week program and the odd beer will probably be drunk, too. Participants who read this, however, please note: Don't drink and drive your wheelchair, okay?

Related stories:
[Image via Frederic/Flickr]

Golden Oldies Goes Full Circle [MSN]

Auckland: New Zealand Appreciates the Human Form

amandak — 2006-08-09T09:00:02-05:00

Sick of waiting for London's Academy of Sex and Relationships to open? We've got something to keep you, well, satisfied until then.

It's a long way from London but they still speak some kind of English down in Auckland, New Zealand, and from the 25th to the 27th August they're holding the Erotica Lifestyles Expo. It features exhibitions on sexuality, health and well-being and a highlight could be the chance to get a photograph of you with a famous porn star, perfect for framing and hanging in the kitchen.

If you're not prepared to hand over the NZ$20 entry fee, hang out downtown for the Boobs on Bikes parade. About 30 naked porn stars will ride on motorbikes and in open cars around the city center to open and promote the expo. This motorcade is not without its critics, of course; but as one town councillor aptly put it, "I appreciate the human form." If you do to, head down to NZ soon.

Related stories:
Boobs on Bikes Gets Green Light [NZ Herald]
Cataloguing False Starts [Jaunted]

Hostel Intent

AVB — 2006-04-10T12:07:21-05:00

Remember when we mentioned that adults were spending more time in hostels? No wonder, now that the truth comes out: It's not that they were so interested in slumming it, but that hostels are getting fancier by the minute. Aussie and Kiwi hostels, anyway.

Base Backpackers has locations in Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne and was named one of the top ten "hippest hostels" by Lonely Planet this year.Perhaps it's because they don't treat their residents like dirt, a welcome change from many cheap accommodations.

Unlike regular hotels, which still don't know how to cater to the ladies, Base offers a women-only floor called "Sanctuary", which has free Aveda hair care products, down pillows and hairdryers. For the men, there's a basement bar to pick up the well-rested, perfectly coiffed ladies staying in the hostel with them.

If only there were metrosexual hostels...we need mousse when we travel, damn it!

[Image via *rafaella/Flickr]

Related Stories:
·   Cheap Chic [SF Chronicle]
·   Back in the Arms of a Girlfriend [Jaunted]
·   Strange Bedfellows [Jaunted]