Contemplating our apartment's courtyard where each floor alternates between a central walk and two side walks. It brings fresh air and light to each floor. We are the fourth floor.

Having a plan is always good. Today it is to explore Waiheke Island with the hop on hop off bus they have. I bought the tickets in the shop and on the way out a beautiful young lady smiled at me said 'hello!' I hesitated for a moment. She continued; 'You were on Emirates yesterday from Dubai, yes? In seat Delta 12?' 'Umm yes' I agreed wondering at the both the coincidence and what made me and my seat number so memorable. Laughing at what must have been my obvious confusion, she continued 'Perhaps you do not recognise me without my makeup? I was your stewardess'.

Aboard the Ferry we went on the top deck and it blasted along making it very blowy, but we stayed there, arriving an hour before the first bus. Our map indicated an off-road walk which we found and headed down. It was truely beautiful. Like being in another country. So many different bird calls. Innumerable plants and trees. All so quiet. Then this bicycle drive through cleaning station trying to prevent the plants dying through invasive pollution.

Reaching the final part of the trail, alongside a vineyard, then ending at a road. We followed that road to a bus stop and waited for the first bus of the day. While there we saw our first crash of the day as a car ran into the back of another which had stopped to allow another to park. Later in the day, while on the bus we passed several bikers on the ground. Our driver stopped to see if he could help. Further on a car ignored a stop sign, at speed, pulling out in front of our bus and drawing some words from the driver who was miked up. We pick up our hire car tomorrow and head North to the Bay of Islands.

Dropping off at the highest point of the island we find a winery and have a tasty lunch sitting in the window with magnificent views in every direction.

Our bus turns around at Onetangi on the North coast. Here there is a long beach and it is being used by a lot of Kiwis who have come here for their Saturday of this long weekend. Monday is Auckland's 'Regional Anniversary Day'.

Not forgetting it is also the last few days of the long Summer school holiday. Audley advised us to wait to take our holiday until now, for the reason that the kids will be back at school soon and this will mean it will be better for us.

Nearly 9,000 people call the island their permanent home, but 900,000 visit it each year, especially at Christmas. With food and fuel all being ferried in, the supermarkets struggle to keep up with demand and the vineries are hard pressed and the owners have to put their foot down when it comes to reservations.

Accomplished much, we have today. With plenty to ⬅ tcelfer on.

Yes, Emirates' stewardesses, as well as being immaculately dressed, do wear a lot of makeup. In fact it approaches almost Geisha levels. She was super kind to me for sixteen hours and it was fun to bump into her and her friend at the ticket office. They were going to see the dolphins.