Waiheke Island (pronounced [waihɛkɛ] in Māori but often /waɪhɛkiː/ in English) is an island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, located about 17.7 km (11.0 mi) from Auckland.
One highlight of my last few days in the Auckland area was a day trip to Waiheke Island. The day’s events included a 35-minute ferry ride to the island, followed by a 2-hour bus tour and then a 3-hour hike along the coast. And what a beautiful coast it is!
Pictured below: Auckland city skyline, Waiheke Island viewpoint, Kathy on Onetangi beach
During my island visit, I made a point of sipping a glass of Passage Rock Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon, one of several nice reds that hail from Waiheke Island vineyards. But I’m sure you are not surprised that a wee bit of wine tasting would be part of my last day in New Zealand.
The journey home from Auckland to Regina began at 8:00 pm Wednesday (Mar 2) evening, and ended at about 8:20 pm Wednesday (Mar 2) evening. Wouldn’t that be a treat… all the way home from New Zealand in 20 minutes! If only it was as good as it sounds. From take-off number one to final touchdown in Regina, I watched not 20 minutes, but 19 hours and 20 minutes pass by veeerrrry slowly (but I found my misisng Thursday). Actually, I weathered the 13-hour flight with relatively ease, sleeping at least half of the duration. Once on Canadian soil, however, there were moments of panic (like when the Vancouver flight left for Calgary 90 minutes late and my connection time in Calgary was only 40 minutes), followed by moments of joy (like when I arrived in Calgary 90 minutes late to find that the Regina bound plane was even later as they had no flight crew). All in all, a series of airplane trips not to be remembered… which is really what we all hope for, right?
When I booked this trip, I recall quite vividly how certain I was that March would be a ‘safe’ time to return to Regina… meaning, of course, that things would be melting (or melted) and birds would be singing that spring is in the air. Not so. Art arrived at the airport with my parka and balaclava lovingly wrapped in a wind chill warning of -34. Why the heck is it still so cold?
So, it’s back to my (sabbatical) life as usual in Regina. My wonderful cat, Kiri, has forgiven (but likely not forgotten) my lengthy absence; Art has returned to a proper eating and sleeping schedule (isn’t that better, Art?); my mind is gradually becoming occupied with thoughts of meetings and deadlines (not to mention my impending root canal). It’s all good.
My New Zealand experience was wonderful. But it is also truly good to be home.
glad you are home safely :)
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