A few days on Waiheke Island

We took the car ferry over to Waiheke Island on Sunday to spend some time with one of our adopted whanau. Whanau is a Maori concept that encompasses not only the nuclear family but also extends to close friends and we are part of our friends Pip and John‘s whanau.

Waiheke is the third most populated island in NZ but is quite small. With a population between 9,000 and 10,000, it surges to around 45,000 in the summer and when you visit here it’s easy to see why. Located in the Hauraki Gulf, it’s a short ferry trip from Auckland and an absolutely beautiful place to visit. Beautiful beaches, interesting shops, cafes, over 30 wineries, and lots of tracks to walk. The pace of life here is relaxed. The locals call themselves Waihetians, and do pretty much work on island time. Our friends John and Pip have 2 dogs and every morning they get to run on the beach. Luka and Koda are wonderful dogs and fantastic companions for our friends. John still travels a lot for work and Pip has the dogs to look out for her. Their daughter Mikaela is a very talented vocalist, actor, and director who recently graduated from the University of Auckland with Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Politics and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz. Check out Mikaela’s full profile @ https://www.collaborate.co.nz/actors/view/Mikaela_Stroud?portfolio=downloadhttps://www.collaborate.co.nz/actors/view/Mikaela_Stroud?portfolio=download

Our days here are much slower paced, which is just fine. We walk on the beach with the John and Pip and the dogs in the morning. We’ve taken the track from their house down to the beach, Jacobs Ladder, 189 steps, that is a great way to get exercise! Visited a winery, toured around the island a bit and generally enjoying a quiet time in a beautiful place. We’re here for 2 more days with no particular plans other than Jacobs Ladder again (day 3 for me and day 2 for Cathy), and maybe a drive to some of the more remote parts of the island. I’ll leave you with a video of the surf rolling into Onetangi Bay this morning.