Today was my introduction to Waiheke Island with Johanna and Micheal as my very capable and generous tour guides. After tea and breakfast on the deck, Michael walked down the hill to Matiatia to rent a car and we began our adventure. The adventure started with just trying to get into the correct side of the car and, once inside, trying to orient my brain to everything being opposite from how my driving brain is oriented. And really, it does feel like I can feel my brain trying to form new pathways to change the orientation. This is going to take some time.

We began our journey at Mudbrick Winery because of its view and location.

Waiheke has several wineries and tour groups are inundating the island to the dismay of the local residents. Not only are there large coach buses but now double decker buses. Since large cruise ships have started coming to Auckland, the influx of tourists to the islands has hugely increased since catching a ferry to the islands is now a perfect day trip for tourists. Water for everyday use is at a premium and locals get their water from rain catchment only with it being stored in tanks on their property. The aquifer for the island is diminishing so I’m wondering how long the vineyards and increased tourism can last. I think that’s the million dollar question for everyone here.

We continued through the commercial area of Oneroa (many tourists) and to Ostend where Johanna and Micheal used to own a small house. We made a quick stop to look and also checked out the beach.

Then it was on to Onetangi Beach for a walk and lunch.

From this point we departed the paved roads and headed to the eastern part of the island that is privately owned but has public access. Roads aren’t paved here and there are sheep farms, a couple of wineries and Stoney Batter, an armament and lookout from World War II. The underground tunnels at Stoney Batter are closed but there are still some of the buildings remaining. The landscape is so lovely! The large boulders everywhere are from a volcanic eruption dated 7 million years ago.

They test of our journey brought us through more ‘bush’ landscape with ferns and tea trees in a loop back to the paved roads and to towns. We stopped to shop for dinner because we had friends of J&M, Ellen and Micheal, both artists, over for dinner. It was a lovely evening, delicious meal made by Johanna, and a beautiful first full day here.