Waiheke

In 2016 Lonely Planet listed Waiheke Island, in Auckland's Gulf Harbour, in its top 5 global destinations. Dammit! Who tipped them off?

Fortunately, once the January rush dies down even the increased tourist population can't spoil what is, essentially, paradise. I go there every year and stay across the road from what must be one of the world's most beautiful beaches. There's no high-rise developments along the beach, just some houses and a couple of restaurants. And most of the time when swimming we have the Pacific to ourselves.

When you drive off the car ferry, there's a big sign that says "Slow down. You're here." And that's Waiheke in a nutshell. I should be able to claim my stay on my health insurance as I'm sure my blood pressure when there goes down massively.

Yesterday, before I had to return to real life, I took this from the deck:



Aaaaah.