We actually slept late today – would have slept later even if the dumb alarm hadn’t gone off. Don’t you just hate that when the person in the room before you leaves the alarm set? We should have checked it, but it’s been so long since that happened, it’s not on our radar any longer. But – it was 7am at least, and not 4am or something. So, we made our coffee, read our books, surfed the web and just generally woke up.
Today we are heading for Waiheke, a little island about 30 minutes away from Auckland by ferry. It was a little farming island, until it turned into an enclave for the wealthy and their summer homes. Now it is a bustling tourist destination with pretty beaches and cute little towns catering to tourists. There is also a burgeoning wine industry on the island with 18 wineries now on the island – some producing wine, some so new that the grapes aren’t coming in yet.
Our plan is to do the Southern Coastal Walk which takes about 2 hours and goes from the pier through Church Bay and on into the town of Oneroa – pretty much the highlights on the eastern side of the island.
The walk down the hill to the pier only takes 15 minutes, and we end up at the ferry dock at 9:05, just missing the 9:00am ferry – but we’ve got all day, so we don’t really care. We sort of wander around the pier, deciding against 4 NZ dollar coffee and end up back in the queue in front of the pier for the Waiheke ferry. It’s early, but we figure first is better. And boy was that a good decision. Holy cow – the line builds up like crazy – it stretches all the way through the ferry terminal out onto the street! And we’re like 4th in line! Go Team Stevens!
Actually, there are so many people in line, that the ferry company puts on 3 ferries to the island. It’s a combination of Anniversary weekend, and the opening weekend of Sculpture on the Gulf, an annual outdoor sculpture exhibit every year on the island. We get on the first ferry – and actually leave early, about 9:45. The trip is great – we’re out back, but under a roof, so we are protected from the sun and the wind, but still able to take pictures. Nice way to go!
There is lots to see while we sail, tons of out outer islands – small and large – inhabited and not. Sailboats, motor boats – every one is out today because it’s such a gorgeous day.
We land on Waiheke early as well, hopping off the ferry at 10:15. We then start to navigate the coastal walkway – trying to find the “yellow and green” signposts that mark our way. After a couple of false starts (the stupid signs point to the parking lot – which isn’t very helpful as the trail starts off the beach), we head in the right direction for the path.
Well, right direction might be a misnomer! It’s the right direction for the Coastal walk, but it’s the opposite direction in which all the sculpture walk people are going! We’re basically doing the sculpture walk in reverse – on a narrow track through the fields and wilderness above the island coast. Hmmmm….lots of comments “You’re going the wrong way”, lots of retorts – “no, we’re doing the coastal walk!”. but actually, it sort of works out because there are huge log jams at different sculptures where the line going in the “right” direction just stops (probably for 10 or 15 minutes), while we have front row seats for whatever it is everyone is looking at – because we are coming at it from the opposite direction. Sweet! Sort of works out!
The trail is pretty tough going at first – up lots of steps, constantly rising so you are up on the top of the ridge over the water. Of course it’s a little tougher for us since we’re literally going against the flow. We have to wait to get up the stairs, walk on the side of the trail to avoid those coming down…challenging, but sort of fun in a way!
The sculptures range from interesting to “what?” – but overall, a pretty cool idea. We won’t try to explain them all – you can just view the photo album and make your own judgment!
The best for us was the “Temporary” sign display – these are the signs they use on the highway when they are doing work and the lower the speed limit – but only “temporary”!
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