Monthly Archives: April 2024

Merrymaking with a Kiwi and a Scot

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We invited our friend Kara (Kiwi) and her friend Emma (Scot), who is visiting from Scotland, for a weekend onboard Sugar Shack and boy did we have fun!  These two lovelies have been friends for decades and are simply a joy to be around.  They bring delight to all those around them!  

Kara and Emma drove 2.5 hours from Whangarei to Maratae (just south of Auckland) to meet us.  We dropped the hook on a very exposed, shallow beach for a quick day stop.  We grabbed some provisions and headed back to the boat.  Our first stop was West Bay on Ponui Island.  We had visited Ponui a few days prior (blog post on Ponui with their rare donkeys) but this time we anchored on the other side of the island.  The first thing the girls did was jump in the water which was a nice 23C!  Nature was showing off with a gorgeous sunset and we took full advantage!

A truly beautiful sunset

Man O War Vineyard

The next day we headed to Man O War Bay as we planned to visit the beautiful vineyard for their Summer Happy Hour events.  It was going to be a “rose all day” event for us.  It started out with just Matt, Emma, Kara and I and then our friends on Yum Yum (Daniela and Mirko) joined us. Later in the afternoon some more friends came for the tail end of our celebration.

We tried to take a photo after each bottle was finished but that did not exactly happen the way we planned. Not sure what Matt and I were thinking…we could not keep up with the Kiwi and the Scot!

Things got a little crazy and silly at times.  Our new friends Adam and Sarah showed up with some Award Winning Texas BBQ guys towards the end of the day.  Probably not the best first impression we’ve made, but we sure did have fun hanging out with them.

Two Americans, Swiss, Austria, Kiwi, and a Scot – an international table!

Owhiti Bay (Waiheke Island)

The next day we had a lovely motor sail over to Owhiti Bay.  We wanted to show our Kiwi and Scot our beautiful sails but the wind was not fully cooperating.  We were able to sail for a bit which was lovely but soon the noise makers came on to get us to our destination.

Drinks were served on the lido deck.

We took an excursion to Garden Cove and Carey Bay by dinghy to explore some beaches and do some shelling.  Emma had the luck of the Scot and found tons of treasures.  Kara is showing off her “Kiwi” feet by walking barefoot on the rocks!

I just love this old tree with all of its bends and curves growing out of sand and rocks.

The beaches are so very beautiful and unspoiled on Waiheke Island.

Celebratory Dinner

We invited Daniela and Mirko over for dinner.  Matt made his famous pulled pork and Emma made a tasty Spanish rice.  Super delicious.

And we were blessed with another beautiful sunset.

Events may be out of order as a wee bit of wine was consumed during the visit.  Overall it was a spectacular weekend.  The next day we had a beautiful sun halo to lead us back to Maraetai.

So grateful for our friends – what a blessing they are!  Thank you for playing onboard Sugar Shack Kara and Emma!

Events from this blog occurred mid February.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events.  Did you catch our last blog where we take you to the drunk island?

Rotoroa, the Drunk Island

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Back in 1911 this beautiful wildlife sanctuary used to be a rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol abusers.  The Salvation Army owned and operated a very successful center in Rotoroa servicing over 12,000 New Zealanders.  The locals refer to this as the “drunk island” but I’d like to think of it as a truly beautiful natural wildlife preserve.  This island was largely self sufficient with vegetable gardens, farms, and orchards being cared for by the patients.  

In 2005 the program and center were shut down.  Now the land is being leased and brought back to its former glory with natural plants, vegetation, and wildlife.  There are 6 tracks around the island that make it most inviting to visit.

Our friends on Yum Yum (Daniela and Mirko) come with us as we circumnavigate around Rotoroa.  We decided to take the North Tower Loop track (light blue) from the center of town to the Southern Loop track (red), then on to the Walking Track (orange) which connects back to the Southern Loop Track (red) and finish on the original North Tower Loop (light blue). A total of 9200 steps, 3.1 miles and 50 floors.

The Rehabilitation Town

We took Sweetie to the jetty and hauled her out on shore and then made our way into town.  We found the jail which had two detention cells built before 1918.  These cells were to dry out rebellious drunkards on their arrival.  Super small quarters.  We also found the butchery and a beautiful church which was all closed up.

The Beautiful and Rare Takahe Birds

From 1898 to 1948 the absolutely beautiful takahe bird was thought to be extinct. Now, there are about 400 in New Zealand and we had the privilege of seeing 5 of them!  They are sort of shaped like the native Waka birds, but they have the most colorful feathers that remind me of a peacock.

Before and After

We stood in the same spot where a photo was taken in 1910.  Obviously it has changed a lot with only a few buildings left standing.  A marked improvement in my opinion.

The Tracks

We continue on our tracks and have some beautiful views of the south anchorage.

We come across the unique sculpture by Chris Booth in memory of Jack Plowman. 

The North Track

We make our way around to the North Loop track where we stop to enjoy Men’s Bay.

And just when Daniela and I were feeling left out we came across Ladies Bay

We found the island cemetery which has a headstone dating back to 1911.  There are 19 marked graves of patients and staff, and one unmarked grave.  And a few more views just because they are so pretty.

It was a truly beautiful day for a walk or hike.  It was not a particularly strenuous walk and the tracks were well marked.  I’d recommend it if you are visiting Rotoroa.

Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events.  This blog post occurred in the middle of February.  Did you read about Stony Batter in our last blog post?

Stony Batter WW2 Bombardment

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Our friends on Yum Yum (Mirko and Daniela) join us for a hike on Waiheke Island to an WW2 heavy coast defense battery called Stony Batter.  The actual website for Stony Batter and their contact and tour information can be found at www.stonybattertunnels.nz.  It was a 2nm dinghy ride to a small beach to get to the start of the trail which was straight up!  Seriously small trail (maybe for cows and sheep) that was vertical through the woods and forest.

The walk was straight up hill, then across several fields, up a few more hills, and over a few fences.

We passed by lots of animals on this hike…cows, sheep, waka (bird) and funny enough they all stopped what they were doing to look at us.

We arrive to the tallest peak and finally see the Stony Batter in the distant valley.  I love the funny face someone painted on the rock (lower left photo).  Matt is on top of a rock on top of the hill (top left) and the 3 remaining concrete gun replacements can be seen on the top right photo.

Stony Batter

Stony Batter has 3 concrete gun emplacements and an extensive system of underground chambers connected by stairs and tunnels.

We first come across the foundations for the Carpenter Store, Lister Engine Base, Auxiliary Engine and Lighting Plant, the Public Works Building and a ventilation shaft.

I will let you read about the history at Stony Batter, if you wish, but here are a few photos that we came across as well.

They had a cool little museum at Stony Batter where you could sign up for a tour, which we did!

The Underworld of Stony Batter

You can only see the underworld with a tour guide and as luck would have it we arrived 10 minutes before the tour left!  Us at the entrance to the tunnel which is 7 floors below the earth’s surface.

We visit a supply room which now is the home to the precious heritage findings (top left), a meditation room (top right), the engine room (middle two photos) and the plotting rooms (command center) (bottom two photos).

The engine rooms contained three diesel engines and generators which powered the lights in the tunnels, the equipment and the guns.

The top photo is the image of the stairs that take us 140m below the earth. The top right photo shows a part of the tunnel that was not completed. Just for fun, a picture of a latrine, and the exit from the tunnels.

The Gun Emplacements

We continue making our way around Stony Batter to find the gun emplacements.  We found #2 and #3.  The third gun emplacement was never finished so we moved on to the 2nd one.  We climbed down a sketchy ladder and got an up close look at the center.

It said “no entry” but we did not see it until we were climbing back out – ooops.  They did have signage down there so I think it used to be public.

The curator recreated the overall defense for Auckland.  The top right ship was a German ship that destroyed a NZ passenger ship “in accident.” The top left submarine is Japanese that threatened their security and safety.

More epic views on our way back down the trail.

And a gorgeous panorama shot of the anchorage and Northland islands.

There are 2 tours that you can take.  In 2024, a 25-minute tour costs $25NZD. A full 55 minute tour for $30 which takes you to all of the cool places we visited.

Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events.  This blog occurred on Valentine’s Day!  Be sure to check out the rare, white donkeys we encounter in Coromandel.