A week on Waiheke Island - and our first 'woofing' post!

DATE VISITED: 15-23 DECEMBER 07 It took a few hours to amble down Northland and find the ferry terminal a little south of Auckland . The boat was slower than the 30 minute passenger ferry, but it gave us time to stare at all the tiny islands (some inhabited, some not) scattered throughout the Hariaki Gulf. Waiheke is the biggest island in the gulf - taking about 20 minutes driving in either direction to reach its shores.. We explored the island on the first day as every bend in the road revealed a different beach or valley - so lush and pretty.

This island reminded me of the Channel Islands for its ruggest coastline and deserted coves and France for all the vineyards. Our apartment was a dream - a delux newly done up modern self contained apartment complete with own balcony and sea view - this has truly been a delight to stay in and one I wont forget in a hurry.. I mean, people pay 'pauline' hundreds of bucks to stay here and here we are enjoying its luxuries for free!

On arrival we chatted to Pauline our host and her German (charismatic) partner! about the week ahead. She was a youthful, chatty and very easy going character. She showed us the ropes and we chatted watching the sun set over the sea - the view from this apartment was definitly the best bit.

The next day we had off as it were - so checked out the island and explored a lengthy coastal walk which incoporated thick bush, deserted beaches and hill-top grassy meadows. No-one was around AGAIN! is so much better than back home! The weather at last showed some stability so hopefully our skin has finally been exposed to some decent sunshine after what has felt like a lot of cloud and hazy shine so far!...

After our walk and sea view picnic and a drive around the roads we ended the day with the family with what would be the first of several barbecues on the balcony. Pauline did some good food, and her german partner ensured we were stocked up with meat and beer :)

On the 2nd night after a day looking after the kids and doing some sanding on one of the doors, we ended it with another bbq and this time met one of the family's friends (a wised up ozzy sort - quite a character (a bit wolf creek for those who have seen the film!) - he warned us about the white-tail spider (see link below)

http://images.google.co.nz/images?hl=en&q=white+tail+spider&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Forever more after this memorable conversation - anything that resembled a piece of fluff on the carpet, or thread of dust with a bit of 'white' on it, or alternatively a white piece of cotton we would forever more be on "white tail alert!" and kill anything in sight!

In the week we child-minded the kids a few times who were generally well behaved (thank god) though I let Ben to take the lead with the more gooey-kid talk. I can play tig and push a swing for them but thats about it. On one occasion the kids asked me to get them a video -I did then they chose another and I gave them another..but then when they asked for another video I decided they were taking the pi** so I said " make up your mind! which video now!" - was this too harsh? I shall ask the audience! hehehe Where was I? So we did this (we ? him more like!) then we painted some walls which was actually the apartment we were staying in.. our last shift entailed working at a buzzing local market where Ben squeezed a few (hundred!) oranges whilst I had the kids (oh joy) and did a bit of selling on the side... The market had its fair share of new-age hippy types and the odd Jesus walking around with his sandals, long grey beard - you know what I mean! - It was still nice to be amongst such a smiley local community event though.

We ended our last night on Waiheke borrowing the Kayak when the sea was as calm as a lake - I was at the rear attempting to steer - poor Ben and his deep water fear kicked in a few times
"Sal sal we're drifting, left pedal , now now!! when the tide was actually coming in and we were only 10 metres off shore! :), there was no off-shore breeze, not a ripple in the water - I tried not to laugh.. haha

We have enjoyed the apartment here, the privacy from the hosts , the sea view, a chance to take a break from being on the road, wash our clothes /catch up and enjoy the 'island thing' where everything is a 10 minute car drive away. I find that really cute. The foot paths on the island were fun to just explore with no one around - the thick bush here makes you feel you could be miles from anywhere and its nice to walk through and not worry about freaky bugs - there are none!

Other things which I wont forget and which will make me smile from our time on the island:

> are some of the mad bird songs on the island (Ben calls the 'clubbing bird' because of its repeative rythme) - I tried to record these on my camera...:)

> The compulsory walk through a nudist beach to get to Palm beach ('our local!) and us scurrying past with our heads down trying to avoid the dreadded glimpse of wrinkly old willies and sagging boobs.

>Exploring the underground pitch black tunnels made in the 2nd world war a low-key tourist attraction on the east of the island - the site of which ran by a bunch of (competant?) teenage volunteers of whom provided us with the torch (of light!) and which guided us through the maze of very claustophobic tunnels of blackness..but relying on faded red painted arrows on the wall to guide us the right way (safe!) and on a few occasions these missing and us thinking
'which ****** way!??!'

> Calling in on one of two upmarket vineyards and me approach the blonde at the counter talking about wine but totally saying something stupid (too stupid to go on here but it was to do with asking about a red wine and pointing to the french word on the menu meaning 'white wine' - can you guess the rest?!!

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