Next up on our Auckland day trip itinerary was nearby Waiheke Island.
Waiheke Island is just a short ferry ride away from the dock in Auckland, and we had heard many great things about its wineries especially. So we purchased ferry tickets and decided to brave my potential sea-sick self to check it out.
Waiting to board the ferry!
Our guide map for the day...it's a pretty large island!
Bye bye Auckland City!
That's the Auckland Hilton on the left. We had heard that they had nice accommodations. I mean, it was right on the water so score one for location right?
Our first sights of Waiheke~the ferry makes two stops, with Waiheke being the second stop. We didn't have time to go to the other island, but apparently there is a chocolate factory there that is a "must visit."
We didn't have a car while on the island, and it was rainy that day. We made the best of it with our little red umbrella but because of the weather we were only able to visit two wineries as well as the town center. When I think back on it, we had a pretty fun day, only made more momentous by the rain and the memory of us running through it!
The beach we touched upon docking, my husband on our walk to the winery and below, the vineyards of Cable Bay. They have a gorgeous view!
For those of you who know Blane, you know that he loves animals. We encountered many during our trip, but sheep were the ones we saw the most of. Here he is attempting to "summons" the little lambs. I have a hilarious video of him trying to get close enough to touch them if you ever are interested ;).
Our lunch at Cable Bay~this restaurant was recommended to us by one of Blane's old co-workers who is from New Zealand. While good, we didn't think it was quite great and we wished that we had eaten up the road at Mudbrick instead. Oh well, maybe next time!
My salmon with olives and roasted peppers (the mashed-potato looking stuff underneath was actually something else that was more creamy in consistency. It was kind of bland and I'm not exactly sure what it was). Below is Blane's seared scallops with prosciutto and peas. Again, it was okay, just not incredible. The lemon-infused house-made olive oil on the other hand was to-die-for!
After Cable Bay, we made our way up the road to Mudbrick. Thankfully there was a lull in the rain for most of this trek up the hill!
Entering Mudbrick...see our red umbrella? :)
Mudbrick was the complete opposite of Cable Bay. It was English in style with vines growing all over the buildings and beautifully architectured gardens whereas Cable Bay was more modern and "clean" in its look. We thought Mudbrick was much more beautiful!
We then trekked into town but it was raining and it was just too windy and wet to really enjoy it. So we high-tailed it back to the ferry to catch the next boat back to Auckland. Here we are sitting inside the ferry on our way back, tired and wet, but happy!
Can you see Auckland outside the rainy window? :)
Here's one for our first rainy day in New Zealand! I think we made the best of it, don't you?
Next up: we leave Auckland and head north!
Right-side driving, here we come :D
Aim
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