Tag Archives: waiheke

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?

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.

Waiheke Island Wine Tour

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We visit Waiheke Island with our friends the Barkers (Matt, Diana, and their family).  We take a short 45-minute ferry ride from Auckland to the idyllic Waiheke island which is renowned for its vineyards nestled in beautiful settings.  It is often called “The Island of Wine.”

There are over 130-hectares (or 321 acres) of grapes and new vineyards are being planted every year.  The local winegrowers have mastered the unique maritime climate and ancient soil structures to produce red and white wines.  The first vineyard was planted in 1978, a relatively young vineyard.  Since its birth, Waiheke has made a name for its structured Chardonnay, fruity Merlot, elegant Bordeaux-style blends, and expressive Syrah – all noted as outstanding in their class.

With the Barkers we decide to visit three vineyards in our short 6-hour Waiheke Island Wine tour.  Matt and I arrived on an earlier ferry and managed to squeeze in a short hike.  Our plan is to drive to Man O’War Vineyard (purple arrow), then head back and stop at Cable Bay Vineyard (blue arrow) and our final stop is Mudbrick Vineyard (between blue and red).  The ferry dock is where the red arrow is pointing.

We start off at the furthest vineyard called Man O’War Vineyard.

Man O’War Vineyard

This was my favorite vineyard by far.  A more casual atmosphere right on the beach with loads of sitting areas, a DJ, first class wines (and beer), and food.  Man O’War is located on the far eastern side of Waiheke Island making it the most difficult to get to, but it is so worth the drive.  

This vineyard planted vines on numerous small individual sites across the volcanic hilltop and clay hillsides on their 4500-acre farm.  The wine was my favorite as was the tasty “garage beer” for the “Matts”

Cable Bay Vineyard

Guests enjoy breathtaking sea views while sipping on award winning wines from Cable Bay Vineyard.  But, unfortunately, we only had an hour to explore here so one glass of rose.  The grounds are beautiful and they grow their own herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers for their restaurants and bars. 

Mudbrick Vineyard

Located right next door to Cable Bay Vineyard on Waiheke island is Mudbrick Vineyard. It is world-renowned for it superb restaurants, award-winning wines and spectacular sea views.  They claim to offer the perfect Waiheke experience with their beautiful accomodations, tours, and wine tastings.  NY Times said “Mudbrick is a must see when visiting Auckland.”  Which is kind of funny to me as Mudbrick is on Waiheke island a 45 minute ferry ride from Auckland.

Mudbrick offered a lovely wine tasting!  Shockingly, I really enjoyed the sauvignon blanc over the rose.

A beautiful shot of Auckland from the Sky Tower and from the Ferry on the way to Waiheke Island.  While on the ferry we swung by the Navy station which has the largest of NZ fleets of boats.

Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events.  This blog post occurred toward the end of December 2023.  In our last blog we replace our shattered Moonlight Hatch Frames.