Ferry trip (about 45 mins) to Waiheke Island

I had intended to cover much more of the island in one day that I was there ... with plans of visiting parks and wineries on the south and east coasts of the island ... but the island seduced me and I ended up just laying on the nearest beach and soaking up the ambiance. Reminded me very much of rural Hawaii. Definitely worthy of a few more days next time I visit!

"Ovation of the Seas" in Auckland Harbor

Massive ocean liner that was "hovering" in the middle of the harbor. It didn't anchor, just "kept station" while it's masses departed for Auckland aboard the numerous life boats ferrying them ashore. Carrying 4762 passengers and 1600 crew, the 169,000-tonne ship is the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world

Ovation of the SeasCruise ShipRoyal CaribbeanCruises

Another shot of the Auckland harbor on my way to Waiheke.

AucklandWaterfrontPort of Auckland

My view of the Auckland water front as the ferry heads to Taiheke Island, 45 minutes SE.

AucklandAuckland Skyline

I think EVERYONE in New Zealand sails ... Makes sense with so many natural harbors and never very far from the ocean ...

sailboatAucklandNew Zealandsailinglight house

Sailboat passing Ragitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is an entire island set aside as a "scenic reserve" just outside of Auckland.

SailboatRagitoto Island Scenic Reserve

Fellow Seattlelites

Jeff & Sue, from Seattle, were headed to Waiheke too, so we shared a car and explored Waiheke together for a couple of hours before I ran them back to catch the Auckland return ferry.

Jeff SueSeattle

Oneroa Bay

An incredibly peaceful bay full of boats ... and this is BEFORE the really busy season!

Oneroa BayWaiheke

Seagull at Oneroa Bay

NZ "Seagull" -- they're smaller and shriller than our US counterparts.

Oneroa Bay

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Oneroa BayWaiheke Island

Oneroa Bay

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Oneroa BayWaihekepaddle board

Tree and Rocks at Palm Beach

I'm always drawn to trees hugging rocks with light filtering through ...

Palm BeachWaiheke Islandrocky shoretrees

Boats at Anchor, Mawhitipana Bay

Boats anchored off Palm Beach in Mawhitipana Bay

Palm BeachWaiheke IslandMawhitipana Bayrocky shoretree