Wellington to Waiheke Island, December 7 & 8

 December 7

Newly installed art at Wellington airport.

Today we started with an Uber to Wellington's airport. It is a very low-key and small airport which is interesting as it is the country's capital city. We really enjoyed Wellington. And, we were fortunate that it was not especially windy while we were there.

     The flight was only one hour long. It was a review, of sorts, of our travels on the North Island with the exception of our trip to the Bay of Islands. We tried to take photos of Mount Tongariro and Lake Taupo, but the window was quite dirty, so..... not worth a photo.

Auckland harbor from Waiheke ferry

  We landed to almost 80 degree weather in Auckland at mid-day. We got the shuttle to our hotel and checked into a surprisingly beautiful Holiday Inn at the airport with plush tropical gardens and a pool. (Neither of which we used.) We dropped our luggage and then took an Uber into the city where we met up with Prue and Klaus for a concert at the Town Hall, a beautiful venue. 

City Hall concert venue - gorgeous

     We had never met Prue and Klaus, but had photos of them and they had photos of us. Prue is cousin Shirley's best friend. They met while teaching in Japan years ago. They have just retired from distinguished careers in International Environmental Law. Both are well published and Prue recently argued a case at the International Court. They were professors at the University here.  Klaus was born in Germany and Prue on the South Island. Both are well traveled.

      The concert of Bach and Handel was a retirement concert by a woman who made her mark in conducting in a man's world. Interestingly, she is also a renowned tennis coach.  The concert featured a full chorus and 4 soloists. 

     It was such a lovely way to spend our last two nights of our holiday.

     

Then the four of us walked down Queen Street to the Waiheke Island Ferry, about a 45 minute ride on a high-speed ferry. Then, we caught a bus to their house. (They do not own a car, nor need one.)

     

What wonderful hosts. We had great conversation about a huge variety of topics - ethics, conservation law, politics, philosophy, books, art and architecture and the parallels of our lives. Parallels include similarities of living on an island. Both Nantucket and Waiheke have become upscale while we've both lived on our islands and unaffordable to the middle class. We both bought our property while it was still within reach.

     Klaus made dinner culminating with a Pavlova, a traditional Christmas dessert in New Zealand. New Zealand lays claim to inventing Pavlova.

New Zealand's famous Pavlova

One of the views from the Waiheke Ferry

December 8

        We started the day with a huge breakfast on their gorgeous deck. Klaus says Germans make big breakfasts!

Breakfast spot!

         Then, Mark, Barbara and Prue walked down the cliff path to their beach. Gorgeous.

       

In their front yard with New Zealand's Christmas tree in bloom

On the steps going down to their waterfront

 It was a morning full of more talk; we could never run out of topics with them.

        Prue made a traditional New Zealand savory pie for lunch. It is one that can be eaten cold or hot. It is a bacon and egg pie made with puff pastry. The eggs are left whole while cooking, so there are bits with cooked egg yolk. Different veggies can be added; Prue added peas. It was delicious and we want the recipe!

         Then, Klaus went into Oneroa, their nearest town for an appointment and Mark, Barbara and Prue walked to Oneroa via the coast, a rather challenging walk for us as it was warm and sunny and hilly.

       

Leaving Waiheke

 We all met for a last coffee and we caught a bus to the ferry terminal, missing a ferry by minutes leaving us about an hour wait.

The ferry was very full of tourists returning from a day trip to the island. We docked around 5 o'clock and had to decide about what to do for dinner. We decided to have only dessert and treated ourselves to two scoops (!) of gelato as we basked in our last evening of sunlight and warmth. Our last days of "summer" for a while, but...we had two summers and two springs this year. No complaining here.

Another view from the deck

Yes, this qualifies as dinner

     Then - an Uber to our hotel. 

     Such a great two days!