“Island Days Are The Best Kind Of Days.”

April 9

Up early, we went to Bobby Franks one last time for breakfast before we headed to the airport for our flight to Auckland.

The Nelson airport is teeny tiny. I like teeny tiny airports because they are no fuss and usually not crowded.

An interesting thing happened in the Nelson airport after we checked in and dropped off our luggage.

First, we waited in a communal area of the airport arrivals and departures hall for our flight to be called rather than proceed to our gate. This is not uncommon in many countries outside the U.S.

Second, what was shockingly different to us was that we didn’t go through a security station to X-ray our carry-on bags and we didn’t need to dump out our water bottles.

When they called our flight, we simply scanned our boarding pass at the gate where an agent was assisting us and walked right on the plane, which was a short walk on the tarmac.

Ummm. 🤔

What are the aviation safety regulations here? Why were our carry-on items not screened? I had nothing of interest in my bag, but could the guy next to me say the same (not Mitch, the other guy)? I was amazed and alarmed at the same time. Since this was a domestic flight, there is no screening!

To take my mind off of things like terrorism, I tried to watch a rom-com but couldn’t concentrate, even on the insipid plot.

The hour and twenty minute flight was thankfully uneventful and couldn’t have ended soon enough.

We grabbed an Uber to the hotel where we will be staying at in Auckland after our Waiheke stay to store some of our luggage because we didn’t need to take all of our bags to the island.

Our driver then dropped us at the Fuller Ferry terminal for the thirty five minute crossing to Waiheke Island.

Waiheke, meaning “cascading water” in Māori, is known as the island of wine and home to over 30 wineries. The island’s population is about 9,000, many of whom commute to Auckland for work.

Most of the residents rely on rainwater harvested from roofs for drinking and household water use. So resourceful!

Jamie, our Airbnb host, picked us up from the ferry and drove us to our accommodation, which is also where he lives. What’s super cool about our rental is that the host throws in a car to use while we’re on the island. Very smart!

Our car turned out to be a weathered Toyota Raum that was apparently pretty popular in NZ. It’s a five-seater MPV or miniature mini-van with sliding side doors and a swing door hatch. It first appeared in Japan in May 1997 and this car was probably pushing 15 to 20 years, maybe more.

While we were on the ferry over, Jamie texted us to say the power had been cut at the house, but it wouldn’t affect him picking us up. He assured us it would be restored by 6 p.m. We didn’t fret too much about it and settled in to our lodging, gobsmacked at our view.

We hadn’t eaten lunch, so we drove into town to a place that was on my list called Vino Vino, overlooking the water.

We feasted on grilled mushrooms, a grilled pear and walnut salad and pan fried snapper with lemon risotto. This meal made our highlights list it was so good.

The chef, who is from Argentina, came out to talk with us when our server passed on our compliments about the delicious meal. We may have to go back for her Argentinian cheese puffs, a recipe passed down from her great grandmother.

After our late lunch we drove around the island and ended up at Onetangi Beach as the sun was starting to set. Daylight savings ended here a few days ago so our days are getting shorter.

We popped into the grocery store to pick up a few things for breakfast and something sweet for dessert (of course). I must comment on the fact that every time we’ve gone grocery shopping in NZ, there are multiple people walking around the store barefoot. I guess it’s the norm here? If my Kiwi friends are reading this can you chime in?

We headed back to the house and as we came up the driveway, the house was strangely dark. I totally forgot about the electricity being out. Not much of an issue when we first arrived, it certainly was now. Mitch’s phone was dead and mine was not far off. We scrambled to find a flashlight in the house, but the batteries were drained. There were two candles and no matches. This will be fun!

Mitch found the flashlight we’re traveling with and located another one in the house that had a dim light as the batteries were nearly drained on it. I cursed myself for leaving mine behind in the bag we left in Auckland because I hadn’t used it once on the whole trip. We fumbled our way in the dark to our first aid kit and found our matches to light the candles. Yes, we have some light.

We had no water other than what was left in our bottles, so Mitch asked the host who went to fetch some from a low hose in the house that didn’t require the electric pump to be operating.

At 10:30 p.m. when we went to bed there was still no power.

This was an interesting start to our North Island tour!