My northern adventure was so wonderful in so many ways and of course there are more experiences I could share but I’ll need to move on. Here are just a few more pictures to add in to give a taste of my last day before returning to Waiheke.

I returned ‘home’ to Waiheke Island, greeted at the ferry dock by my faithful friends Michael and Johanna. Our cooperative group was complete again!

Saturday morning had a relaxed start and our plan for the day was to visit the Ostend market, grocery shop for three different upcoming events and possibly visit a couple more spots on Waiheke.

Before we left the house, we heard beautiful singing coming up the hill from the local marae, the meeting house of the Maori tribe in this area. I walked down there to get closer to the sounds but not enter. There were about 15-20 young men who were practicing the haka (war dance) so I stood and looked out to the bay to listen to the song, challenge and response:

I hope those videos open for you so that you can hear this ceremony. If you want to see a great haka, go to YouTube and search for the haka performed by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PptTeyYShdw.

They perform it before each game to intimidate their opponents. I think it’s very effective!

On to the Ostend Market which is part farmers market, part flea market. It’s located at the RSA (Retired Servicemen’s Association) both out in the Park area and inside the building. It’s a festive atmosphere with some food carts and jewelry, a lot of books, odds and ends, a clairvoyant who will read your soul and a woman walking a sheep around who was collecting funds to save Kennedy Point, a local land area that has a winery and produces olive oil.

Our evening was a delightful and delicious gathering at the home of friends Ellen and Michael. What wonderful hosts and a lovely home too! Ellen and Michael are both artists and presently working on projects collaboratively… beautiful colors and incredibly detailed drawings. Their home is also filled with color and art and did I mention the delicious meal? A fish stew cooked in a Portuguese Catalan cooker. Oh my!

Many thanks to Michael and Ellen for your welcome and hospitality. Another lovely day on Waiheke.