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The weather finally turned out nice this weekend, not wanting to waste this rare opportunity we decided to jump on a ferry and head to one of NZ's Islands. We decided to go to Rangitoto, but when we got to the harbour the next ferry was in 2 hours. Not wanting to wait we had a backup plan. Let's head to Waiheke Island; it is located about 11 miles from Auckland. The island is the second-largest in the Hauraki Gulf after Great Barrier Island.
Wiki states that Waiheke translates as "descending waters" This refers to an event when Maori explorer Kahumatamomoe landed on the island and urinated. The name originally referred only to the stream at Onetangi, but now is used to refer to the entire island.
A population 8,000 and covered in vine yards. This was perfect. We booked a tour of the Island, all-day bus pass and return ferry. The Ferry left within 5 minutes. It was rammed. The sun was shining, but the wind left a chill.
We finally got to see Auckland from the water. It was really nice to see the city sky line and take in the whole of Auckland.
Within 40 minutes we were arriving at Waiheke, the water was so blue, the grass and trees bright green. It was beautiful.
We met our tour guide, a larger women, her size was only dwarfed by her bubbly personality and energy. She kept making rubbish jokes that amused Stevie and I. I don't think the rest of the tour group was impressed. After every joke a piece of tumble weed would roll down the bus and there would be an eerie silence.
As we drove around, she would tell us the history and names of destinations.
We drove through Blackpool, which I think is the flattest part of the island and the most populated. The tour took us too many bays on the island, the driver stopped at nudist bay, unfortunately no one was there. So unlike my old friend Burton the camera never came out.
The guide told us of how people have planted their own trees across acres of land, relocated roosters, donated land, the vineyard history, crazy housing costs and preservation orders.
Our bus tour stopped at Onetangi Beach. We decided to walk to the vineyard valley before chilling on the beach. We stopped at a vineyard that also brewed its own beer. The more alcohol, the better, right?
The island has its own micro climate that makes the island a few degrees hotter than Auckland and has less rain. It is the perfect environment for growing and producing Bordeaux wine, That is why it is nicknamed 'Island of the wine' so we wanted to try wine tasting here as this the place.
It was a nice setting, sitting outside on benches amongst the vines. It was very relaxing, but a little windy. We decided to grab some lunch while we were there. The usual burger and chips. We ordered a sample of all the beers on the menu. Not being ale drinkers we struggled with the dark stuff. However the cider, ginger beer and pale ale were good.
They also had games on the site pētanque, giant chess, clay pigeon shooting and archery. I was well up for the archery although Stevie wasn't, so she ordered the full menu of wine tasters while I headed off to show off my Robin Hood skills.
It was me against a Japanese couple. I didn't tell the instructor that I used to teach this, so he loved my raw talent. While I was scoring high on the target, their arrows were shooting across the field.
After a nice bulls eye, it finished with them on 121 points and yours truly on a modest 260 points. Boom.
All I needed now was my Maid Marian, she never came but as luck would have it Stevie arrived with our wine tasters. So we finished them in true Brit style opening our mouths and throwing it down the hatch.
We then walked back to Onetangi beach where we took a 'romantic' stroll up and down the mile long beach, collecting shells and climbing rocks, Onetangi apparently means, 'Weeping Sands" due to the way the water leaves the sand when the tide goes out. After our walk it was getting late so we caught a bus back to the ferry. It was getting chilly so we decided this time to sit inside. We timed it right.
On the way back the sun was setting which turned the blue water to a rustic colour and the sky a brilliant orange. It was beautiful.
Then to top it off, when we approach the Viaduct Harbour we got to see the Auckland skyline at night. The silhouetted buildings glow from the neon lights of major firm names. The sky tower stood tall, glowing blue rising from the centre skyline.
We decided to grab a pizza and chill in the flat to watch a movie as Stevie had work early the next day.
I was rested for the night, until Chris text me and I went out drinking with him to watch his friend DJ at a local bar. It was nice to venture out and have a quiet drink. I say quiet; I got in gone 5.00am. That the ghetto of K Road....
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