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... 

Best Mother's day ever.....

It is hard to explain how perfect today has been!  The day started as all perfect days do with a sleep-in, followed by a swim in the rooftop pool.  

This was followed by a scrumptious brunch on the waterfront at Docklands!  As we walked around the waterfront we hired bikes and spent the next two hours cycling around the Yarra River, having a MAGIC time in the sunshine!  

We followed this up with yet another MAGIC shopping session resulting in me purchasing the most amazing purple boots!!!!! Oops and a pair of grey boots too!  They were just too nice and too soft to leave in the shop.....

A relaxing stop at the Boatshed saw us relaxing in deck chairs in the sun on the banks of the Yarra River enjoying a platter and a cold drink!

The day concluded with us booking an awesome adventure down the Great Coast Road tomorrow, then dinner!

A truly perfect day!!!  Thank you Katie for the best day ever!!!

Melbourne update!

We had an awesome flight over and arrived to sunshine.  Off exploring we went to the markets and walking around.  After a much needed catch up sleep in the middle of the day we set off for more adventures, shopping of course!  We ended a very successful day with dinner on Lygon St at Johnny Carvena's!

Day two - a wonderful sleepin was very welcome!  We went exploring again around the inner city, then out to harbour town.  We are becoming quite expert at negotiating our way around on foot or in the trams.  We had a wonderful night at the MCG for Melbourne versus Western Bulldogs AFL game.  A real highlight was the 'pink out' for Breast Cancer Awareness!  

Melbourne adventure!!!

One week’s holiday!

Woohoo, here I am mid way across the ditch heading for Melbourne!  To celebrate Katie’s birthday we have a week of adventure!  A very, very early wake up call today at 3.15am for our 4am taxi to the airport!

So here we are, well on our way.  I thought it might be nice to take some time to share what I am looking forward to most!   Relaxing!  No alarms, no timetable, no schedule… in fact this could be called the no agenda holiday!  We do have a couple of things planned and pre-booked but mostly it is about just chilling and enjoying a week of sightseeing, shopping, wining and dining and of course a little bit of retail therapy thrown in!

Holiday time....

A very early start to the day and Katie and I are enjoying breakfast at the airport before our flight to Melbourne!  What a treat for the two of us to heading off for a week of adventures....  I am looking forward to sharing our adventures as they unfold...

Day Seven Italian Treasures - Florence to Verona to Venice

For as long as I can remember I have loved the sound of Venice so when we booked this trip last November we planned for my birthday in Venice, However due to unfortunate circumstances that tour was cancelled and we rebooked.  I am soo excited to see this amazing place of dreams... 

Up early for a very long coach tour through the beautiful countryside arriving at Verona to view the famous Shakespearean  balcony of Romeo and Juliet fame! WOW I don't think I could have believed so many tourists could fit in such a small area til this trip. Anyway we thoroughly enjoyed a look around this quaint town and giggled at some of the very quirky buskers including the rather bizarre baby in the pram... 

The very famous Shakespeare Balcony

Rubbing her breast is supposed to bring good fortune for those unlucky in love! 

The Verona Arena

Back in the bus to sleep our way to Venice crossing the bridge to the island and catching a water taxi round to the Main area. 

OH MY GOODNESS this place is totally beyond my dreams... Checking into our hotel right on the edge of St Mark's square, again just time for a quick shower and change and meeting In the square and off we went for the experience of a lifetime  - a gondola trip around the canals.

 Robert, Arnick, Grant and I were In our gondola and just as we were about to take off two rather burly gentlemen hopped into the gondola! I thought they were rather cheeky hopping into our private gondola.... MAMMA MIA can you imagine our surprise when the music and singing began. One played the piano accordion and the other sung with a voice box from the heavens.... Agh this truly has been one of the most MAGICAL moments of my life... I simply cannot believe the beauty, tranquility, romance of this place,..

  Then out for a simply stunning Venetian dinner comprising at least six courses again.... Shrimp cocktail, melon, pruscheta, pasta, risotto, salad, fish, then HEAVENLY tiramisu.... Bubbles, wine... Agh I love this place.... 

 After dinner Aida walked us over to the Rialto bridge and we walked back over the cute little bridges over the canals back to our hotel... 

Rialto Bridge 

St Mark's Square

BEST DAY EVER....