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| Auckland Airport to Waiheke Island...Was I there? Yes I was! |
My son and his partner met me. They brought the grand-children. I got hugs - Yay.
Outside the airport is a bus that transports new arrivals to the Ferry building at the bottom of Queen Street. We piled on, paid my $16, stowed the bag, arranged the kiddies and settled in for the ride.
We made a new friend on the bus ride. A young lady from Indonesia, currently living and working in Melbourne, was on her first trip to New Zealand. She'd signed up for an adventure tour around the North Island and wasn't sure what she was in for. We got to chatting, and gave her our two cents worth on her upcoming trip. We think she'll enjoy it. She has my e-mail and sent me this:
Hi Gaelene,
Sorry, not water rafting yet :) Just want to say hi for now as I have
access to 15 mins of internet in the motel.
Thanks for the chats. Enjoy your 2 month stay in Auckland.
Cheers,
J
I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of her trip.
A one way ferry ticket to Waiheke Island cost just under $20. The ride over was a bit of fun for the seasick prone - the weather was creating big waves and ooooohhhhh's were to be heard. For the seaworthy, it was a piece of cake. (Note: I was going OOOOhhhhh).
Once docked on Waiheke we packed into the car waiting for us at the car park and drove the short distance to the house.
A cuppa and a chat was in order. It's been a few months since I saw the grand-kiddies and they have grown heaps. It was early to bed that night and I slept like a log till 11am.
Once I surfaced and had a spot of breakfast (with moko cuddles) it was time to see what Waiheke had to offer while running some errands.
The main street on Waiheke is kind of ..ummmm ....villagy. There are little boutique shops on the hill and hidden in nooks and cranny's. The road is on a gentle slope and is narrow enough to get built up by the traffic making it's way through, but not long enough for anyone to get heated by the hold up. In fact, the whole island still retains it's bachy, alternative lifestyle, relaxed feel. I've never spent much time on Waiheke before and I have to say, I liked it.
We went to Little Oneroa Beach so the kids could enjoy the playground and I could take photos of the sea view framed by pohutukawa trees.
Across the road is a shop that sells home made food. We had the loveliest homemade banana cake. It's been a while since I've had such a nice cake bought from a shop. It was just like the ones mum makes.
Lunch time arrived, so Willow took us to Onetangi and The Beach Front Cafe. The ride allowed me to see a bit more of Waiheke. Lots of little bays, lots of bush and baches tucked away off the road winding through the island. We passed horse-riders, boat yards, and vineyards.
We sat on the cafe deck looking out over the water and munched muffins with coffee. The moko had a Fluffy. After that run around in the surf was a perfect way to tire the kids out before heading home.
Our tiki tour had taken us on a loop around the island - not the whole island, but enough to let me see that Waiheke offers everything a family may possibly want but without the city traffic and stress.
The next morning I was on the 9am car ferry over to Half Moon Bay and on to the North Shore. The trip back to the mainland took half an egg sandwich and a Bundaberg Ginger Beer - and no heaving waves.
Should you decided to visit Waiheke, Fullers runs the passenger ferry and Sealink runs the car ferry. Two different websites to visit for timetables. I'd recommend you also organise a car in advance and, if possible, have it waiting at the wharf. It's a little out of the way.
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| One ferry after another. |
If you're looking for a get away from it all place after landing at Auckland Airport, Waiheke Island is definitely worth a look.
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