New Zealand’s Waiheke Island

Flights to New Zealand

Our driver picks us up at 8am from our cottage hotel in Sanur and we are off to the airport.

Bali’s airport is well organized and attractive. There is a big temple in it surrounded by a jungle park with pathways.

I go into the bathroom and notice that someone has left a flower offering. They must be really grateful for something.

Our first flight is 5 1/2 hours from Bali to Melbourne, Australia. Then a 3 1/2 hour wait before a 3 1/2 hour flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

Sitting is a bit uncomfortable because yesterday I got a brutal burn on my bottom when snorkeling. Not fun.

We arrive in Auckland at 5:30am New Zealand time which is 12:30am Bali time or 11:30am the day before Toronto time. Confusing? Absolutely!

There is confusion in our airport hotel pick up…the driver forgot us but he shows up eventually. We drop our luggage off at the hotel and grab a cab to Auckland Port.

We are having troubles with our New Zealand eSim. It is not working at all. We contacted Airalo about this first at 6am.

Ferry to Waiheke Island

We take the 10am ferry to Waiheke Island. This island is known for its wineries.

Everyone is confused as to where the Hop on Hop off bus is boarded. Tourists are running from one side of the street to the other. Lots of confusion but finally we are on and off on our adventure.

Onetangi Beach

We stay on the bus until we get to Onetangi Beach which is a long stretch of golden sand with glistening blue and aqua water.

We stop for lunch at Charlie Farley’s where I have a delicious tuna poke rice bowl and John has fish and chips. Airalo finally gets back to us and we finally get my eSim working but not John’s.

Of course we have to check out the jaws of a humungous white shark on display in the restaurant. The shark was accidentally caught in a fisherman’s net many years ago.

Stonyridge Vineyards

Our next stop is Stonyridge Vineyards. We order a tasting trio but unfortunately they do not let you choose which wines you want to try. The view is lovely but John and I aren’t delighted with our wines. But the view is good.

Final Hop on Hop Off Stops

It is now heating up so I start stripping down to my t-shirt.

Our next stop is Oneroa Village to check out the beautiful beach before getting back on the Hop on Hop off bus.

By this point John and I are exhausted since we travelled all night and have a five hour time change.

I notice that there are a lot of older people around. John thinks they may be from the Norwegian cruise ship that is docked in Auckland Port.

Our last winery is Mudbrick Winery which has the best views on the island. Gorgeous.

Ending the Day

We are exhausted so we take the ferry back, grab some supper in the Queen Street pedestrian area and head back to the hotel to crash.