SO MUCH TO DO...SO LITTLE TIME LEFT!

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011 – ONEROA LIBRARY – We are thankful that all our loved ones are safe and sound but our hearts have been with those in Japan as we watched the coverage of the earthquake then horrified by the tsunami that followed.  New Zealand was spared any major difficulties as a result of the tsunami—an advisory to stay off beaches and out of the water for the weekend was the only restriction.   This earthquake resulting devastation put a bit of a damper on our high moods—earlier in the week we had some great Waiheke Island experiences—which I will share now!

We both got haircuts last Tuesday!   Feels wonderful: 

On Thursday, the day dawned sunny and bright so we called the local car rental business and “hired” (they use that term here) ourselves a car for a day to explore the far reaches of this island.   Our cute little car was called the “baby Hummer”: 

We are on the Hauraki Gulf side of the island for our first several stops—that is the side that mostly faces Auckland.

Our first stop was a popular picture taking spot (couples, bridal, etc.) near Ostend:  

Then off to Rocky Bay: 

Next we headed out to a place called “Azzuro Groves” where they grow olives and alpacas!   

The alpacas have one of the most beautiful views from the island:  

The view peeking through the flax across the street: 

We travelled a bit further down the road to the end of that peninsula where Te Whau Vineyards has 360 degree views and a wonderful restaurant where apparently Sean Connery likes to go! 

Next we headed around a dirt road and enjoying beautiful views along the way:   

Arrived at a lovely place named “Whakanewha Regional Park” where we sat by the water and had a bite to eat—very peaceful:  

Part of the park has a wetland and area that is off limits to protect the NZ Dotterel birds beach nests: 

Some of the areas we drove over reminded us of our touring various parts of “mainland” NZ with the grazing sheep and rolling hillsides: 

We drove past Onetangi heading towards the huge area that Man O’ War Vineyards owns—you go back on a dirt road: 

From here we are seeing beautiful South Pacific views from here:  

We park by a Man O’ War vineyard where they are picking grapes: 

And walk about 1.5 kms to Stony Batter Historic Reserve to see the tunnels built back in the 1940s to defend Auckland—a very interesting walk (with Coramandel in the distance across the water):   

Some of the built ins:  

We went into the hillside tunnel and walked throughout using torches (very interesting underground military bunker): 

The walk back:   

We followed the dirt road down to Man O’ War Bay and tasted a little wine! 

Then started the loop back:  

Orapiu (a foot ferry wharf): 

A look at “Shelley Beach”: 

We were going to have dinner at Kennedy Point but they had closed:  

Drove down to the car ferry wharf: 

Then back to Oneroa for a “side” view of the beach/water from beyond the town:  

We ended our day with dinner at “Viola” in Oneroa—a bit of prawn/pesto gnocchi and pizza!   By the time we got home, we were tired and I think we were asleep by 9:30 PM that night!   J

Friday morning Geoff returned the car and after lunch we walked about 20 minutes to “Goldwater” (or “Goldie” to the locals) Vineyard…had a wine tasting of some lovely wines, bought a couple of bottles and some great olive oil/herb spread…we walked up a small hill and enjoyed the sights from above the vineyard—we both were thinking about how lovely the day has been!  

We walked back and stopped off at our favorite local Irish pub “Malones” for a cold one(picture above ^). 

Sunday night we returned back to Malones for the Sunday Night Jam session of local flavor…and counting down to the big St. Pat’s Party: 

Note that the bottom of the sign says "Land of the long white cloud"--that's what NZ is known as--but I don't think it is for the long white "cloud" of Guinness heads!  Haha

Love, Sue & Geoff xo

P.S.   Our neighbor in Surfdale, Mike, brought us two freshly caught red snapper--our dinner Monday night for sure!   Here's what they looked like: