So, on Saturday morning I checked out of the Auckland Central Backpackers and stored my luggage for the day, then made my way down to the ferry docks for a trip to Waiheke Island.

The island is about a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland and costs $25 return. I do so love being on the water. Doesn't really matter where I'm going, if you say "boat trip" to me, I'll be there.

Everything here is so freakin' beautiful. The air is so clean, the sky's so blue and water so clear. It's really quite remarkable. Which is probably why I'm remarking on it, but never-the-less...

Waiheke Island was very pretty. I picked up a little guide that listed all the walks, but I found it hard to read -i.e. the maps weren't very good and there were no signs posted along the walks. At any rate, this place is really cute. It is about 19km long and has 90 km of coastline, and has a permanent population of about 8000 and nearly 1000 of them commute to the city each day to work. In summer, the island's population swells to over 30,000 because it has supremely gorgeous white sand beaches and top wineries.

I walked around for the day, got lost, asked directions and ended up talking to a couple of kiwi women for about 20 minutes. Simply asking which way to go doesn't really exist in New Zealand I'm learning. It's more of a visit. They'll tell you several different ways of getting there depending on which way the sun is shining, what animals there might be to look at on the way, how much time you've got, what mode of transportation you're taking, and oh by the way where are you from and what are you doing here? It's very charming (and time consuming). Not that I'm complaining, it's always nice to have a little chat with people when you're travelling alone.

After this it was back to the mainland for me and dinner with some Kiwis. We ended up going to Des' friend's place for dinner. His name is Bevin and he is an anaesthesiologist. His other friend Andy also joined us. Andy works in investments but is studying and training to become a commercial pilot. He offered for me to come along to one of his flight lessons, but for those of you who know how much I just LOVE flying, I politely declined. I have a hard enough time with the legit pilots, never mind pilots in training - p.i.ts!! What does that tell you?! :P

Anyway, dinner was nice, we had a BBQ and the boys cooked. I drank wine. I'm still trying to figure out how to get them to hold the fans properly while feeding me grapes at the same time. It's a hard load to bear I tell ya.*wink*

We had a nice conversation at dinner. I made the mistake of telling Des about my lust for Patrick Stewart so it seems to work its way, inevitably, to every conversation. After a lovely evening it was time to go. The anaesthesiologist wasn't very interesting, in fact I'd venture as far as to say he was putting me to sleep. HAR HAR HAR, I jest, he was lovely, I just had to get that corny joke in there. :)