Au Revoir Auckland and New Zealand

Saying goodbye to New Zealand after almost 3 weeks was so hard! Having a late night flight out gave me time for one final outing before heading home: a ferry ride out to Waiheke Island for one more liver & legs workout (bike ride to wineries).

To start the time change reacclimation, I got up super early, hit a restaurant on the wharf that had been highly recommended and made it to the 7:45am ferry to Waiheke. By 9, I was on a rented e-bike headed for the winery that opened early, the gorgeous Mudbrick Vineyards. Don’t think of it as day-drinking, think of it as Happy Hour on East Coast time :)

The view and grounds were better than the wine, but luckily the next spot, Cable Bay Vineyards had fantastic wines (more "European"), though no view from the Cellar Door at they call tasting rooms here. Needing food, I headed to “Island Frenchie” in the beach town of Oneroa for a delicious fish sando. With less than an hour left to kill, I biked to the lovely beach in Oneroa Bay. All in all, a great last day, though it would have been better with friends :)

I made it back in time to collect my luggage and catch a shuttle to the airport for the looong trip home. Definitely worth the trip, though! I hope to come back with Alex to see even more that this gorgeous country has to offer!Read more