Recently in New Zealand Category

Over the New Year we decided to go in search for summer, as it was nowhere to be found here in Melbourne. Stephen and I wanted an island holiday as we were desperate to 'unplug' and we were also in need of some serious sun. We wanted somewhere remote, but we also wanted to get there preferably before dinnertime as we were travelling with the little people. So with kids, beach gear and boogie boards in tow we caught the first available flight to Auckland.

It still amazes me how many people have no idea where Waiheke Island is. I've since been asked 'is in near Fiji' or 'it's near French Polynesia, right'? The best one to date was 'oh, so you went to Hawaii'! In answer to the 'where is Waiheke island' question it's none of the above. Hence, Waiheke Island is located about 17km from Auckland and it's the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand. It's the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf after Great Barrier Island with approximately 8,000 permanent residents.

The minute you step onboard the ferry bound to Waiheke, you begin to feel yourself unwind and slow down as this bohemian island famous for it's wine, olives and art has a maximum speed limit of 80kph. Moreover, Waiheke residents still rely on rainwater and septic tanks and there is only one supermarket on the island and not a fast food chain outlet in sight!

We're back!

Well if truth be told, we've been back for just a little over a week, but the kids are still on summer break and Stephen has accepted a new opportunity so I rarely get a moment to myself. Needless to say blogging is the furthest thing from my mind, especially with the tennis on.

I'm pleased to report that the little people go back to school this Friday, so Gourmet Worrier will be back in full swing in the next week or so.