Monday, August 17, 2015

Girly Weekend.... the MAGIC of our Auckland Trip....

So, finally the countdown is over - Susan and I are off to Auckland for a fun weekend with Sue. Delighted to have my flight home from Christchurch on time, we boarded for Auckland! How exciting to see Sue again.
Saturday starts with a drive up None Tree Hill. Blue skies deceive as the wind whips around and chills.  Following this a drive over the harbour bridge, and over to St Heliers for some retail therapy and a coffee on the waterfront. 


Next up, up the tower for stunning views and lunch in Orbit, the revolving restaurant. 





The day ends with shopping in Queen Street, then over to New Market. Dinner at Ponsonby Central with the ultimate dessert treat - icecream sandwich.  I can't believe I have never seen this before.  You choose your cookies and icecream flavour, topped off with candy floss - D E L I C I O U S!!!!
Sunday dawned grey, but what a day we have in store.  Lunch in the viaduct, a walk down the Wynyard quarter, then onto the ferry for Waiheke. 

Leaving the grey of Auckland far behind we sail into the blue of Waiheke.  Onto our bus for our wine tour!

What a wonderful greeting at Stonyridge Vineyard. A walk around the vineyard, through the olive groves, and into the restaurant for lunch
Next stop,  Rangihoua Estate for an olive oil tasting. Wow, they sure are delicious.
After a drive around Onetangi Beach we went to Wild on Waiheke.  Wine tasting, craft beer tasting... even drunken oyster shots....
 Final stop on the tour was Mudbrick Vineyard. WOW - what a stunning venue.  


All too soon the tour was over and we got the bus back to Oneroa.  Retail therapy, a walk on the beach and a walk up to Oyster Inn for dinner.  We were incredibly fortunate to strike live entertainment.  The food, ambience, conversation, entire evening was stunning.

Back to the ferry for the ride back to Auckland and a walk around the Wynyard quarter.  



Home for our last night in Auckland.  All too soon it was morning and off to the airport we went.  A delay was announced to our flight due to weather conditions in Dunedin.  Hard to believe the contrast from one end of New Zealand to the other.  Delay after delay,  and finally, airborne, the delays continue as the Dunedin Airport runway is too frosty to land.  So finally, we arrive back, a couple of hours late... 
 ...flying over the white winterland....
A HUGE thank you to Sue and Susan for a stunning weekend... 

2 comments:

  1. Fantastic post and wonderful trip!!!

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    Replies
    1. Loved every minute of it!
      Looking forward to another adventure with you two....
      Where to next?
      AK

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