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Published: December 23rd 2016
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We had another busy flight all the way to Auckland from Apia arriving in the Kiwi capital late afternoon. Good news, the weather is on our side for this last week-end in New Zealand.
I don't know what is happening to Auckland? Is it because Santa Claus is in town for the week-end that you can't find a hotel at a reasonable price tag. 180usd for a Mercure? Are you kidding me. On our first night, I ditched nearly 100usd for a night at the Ibis Budget in the CBD. For this, we have a basic shower, a basic bed in 11sqm. But it's Friday night, windows are of the worst quality I have every seen, and it's impossible to sleep till 3am, even staying on the 16th floor. Downtown is a big party place, and we have our worst night ever! Shame!
Next morning, I had find a decent deal unloading some points at the Crown Plaza. Fun to think I slept here for my first ever stay in Auckland. It must have been some 14 years ago! It's a basic four stars hotel. Not much about the character of the place, but at
least they had double glazing, and our second night would be a decent one!
Once we've dropped our bags, we are on for the short walk to the ferry terminal. Today, it's Waiheke island time! The island have been voted by the like of Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler in top 10 of islands to visit in the world. I have to admit, I never made it to Waiheke before. We buy our return ferry ticket. It's just a 45 minutes ride from downtown Auckland. As a matter of fact, most Waiheke residents are actually daily commuters working in Auckland.
I had done my online research....you can rent a bicycle to explore the island, rent a scooter or even a car...you can take a short 90 minutes guided bus tour, you can take a tour of three wineries, once again by bus....you can even have lunch in a winery and fly-in by helicopter from Auckland....flying from one winery to the next...or you can simply...walk...and do few wine tastings on the way!
There is a loop walking rail around most of the island. This could take anybody days to achieve.
But a car, a scooter, even a bicycle or a tour will not get you this. Once you arrive in Waiheke ferry pier...forget everything...walk to your right...and start to walk....for an hour, for two hours or for longer. You can't get lost...on one side there is the blue water, on the other side there is is the island, just keep walking following the water!
Get good shoes....simply advise! Well, Tanya had her sport shoes, and I had my city shoes....but who cares! We walk and I had a rough idea that 90 minutes into the walk, in front of that islet, there is a path inland to Mudbrick Winery. 75 minutes into the walk, there was a path inland, with no direction....right in front of the islet. I had the map in my head, the one we had a quick look at once we got out of the ferry. Found out it was the right path...but good they don't have any suspicious animal in New Zealand, because that ferns forest crossing was pretty steep and dense!
We made it to Mudbrick at the right time, it was 11.30am...isn't it a perfect time for a
first glass of wine, or rather a tasting of five of them! I'm not really used to pay to do a wine tasting. In Australia and New Zealand, I normally do my homework ahead. I taste, than I buy at least a bottle. A tasting is not and should not be a drinking session...you spend time with the staff, you learn, you enjoy, you learn more, and yes you drink a little!
Here, it's another picture, welcome to a world that I simply don't fancy! I have to admit, we were a Saturday, I'm sure on a Monday morning it may have been a different affair! Mudbrick, you have the choice between the standard tasting or the premium one. Standard is 7usd, Premium is 14usd...both with five wines to taste! Ready for the bad joke, the standard one is actually 4 wines with grapes coming from the South Island... Come on, if I go to Bordeaux, do I want to taste Champagne? So we went straight for the premium one.
The premium tasting at Mudbrick was decent....but forget about sharing a chat with the staff. They pour, they recite the 5 lines about the
wine...and you are on your own. I think the "manager" understood this is not for me, but the place was so packed, not fun! We were happy to try their flagship wine...and what seems to be the premium wine for Waiheke island. But 100usd for a bottle of this?!? Well, it's demand and supply, I understand the process pretty well, but in South Africa, you get such a red blend for way less than 20usd. Welcome to a world of marketing! Oh, I'm not correct, welcome to a work of marketing with very limited supply...so if it is half decent, it will be simply overpriced!
From there, we walked to Cable Bay Vineyard. Here the helicopter was waiting for us on the lawn. Apologies, it was not for us! More stag and hen parties than actually wine enthusiasts around. I'm sure this place must be perfect to hit on girls....but I'm a lucky man, no need for that...we are here to taste.
Here, only the standard tasting is offered....and you'd better move fast! I would fire the girl that offered us the wine tasting if I owned the place. But I understand, I'm wrong,
it's a business and if I'm not happy I should not be here. So no need to make a comment. The wine was ok, but I will never hunt or even buy any of those bottles around. I believe we finished the tasting in less than 30 minutes...it clearly didn't deserved more!
I thought earlier this morning on the boat, we could go for three wineries, but after the first two, I had enough. This was it, we could keep exploring the island on foot. We stopped for another nice pie pick-up...and had it on the main beach of Oneroa. Waiheke maybe beautiful, but I'm not doing that again soon. By 4pm, feet were dead, we were back on the ferry. I'm so happy we went out of the way to walk the shores of the island. I'm so happy we didn't waste my money on a tour bus....and sorry to be a wine snob!
That night, we stopped by one of my favorite place in Auckland, the Belgian Cafe for some amazing Green lips mussels, and a Hoegardeen for me. This must be the only place in New Zealand
where I have ever drunk a beer! Imagine, they even have Jupiler on tap! I haven't had one for years!
Next morning, it was party time, Santa Claus was in town for his annual parade starting at 1pm. The street were packed....children everywhere, and not many police around .I guess I appreciate this place where the terror threats have not changed the habits of normal people having a great family day, simply! You can also understand very well here that New Zealand is not that overcrowded yet. Not need to push here to have a good view!
The parade was over, it was time to pick up our bags...reach the airport, having a early dinner at the Emirates lunch...few bubbles...awaiting our four hours flight to Melbourne...
Back to Australia, coming next!
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