Waiheke Island
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2007
1
12
71
Trip End
May 01, 2008
Auckland,
New Zealand
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
I didn't get an umbrella yesterday, so, of course it started raining here. I now have an umbrella and am drying off in a cafe. "Wet dog" has been used to describe me several times this week; hopefully not for the smell.
The island has absolutely beautiful scenery; I've seen wild lillies, and all sorts of other plants in bloom. there is a nice village just in from the wharf, and a beach that has got to be one of the nicest I've ever seen.
And another one
A few young girls on horseback stopped me to talk. They seemed amused that someone would come all the way from Canada (where there is snow!) to walk along their beach in the rain. They apologized to me for the rain.
New Zealanders like coffee way too complicated. Walking into any establishment and asking for a "coffee" will always get you a confused and slightly annoyed look. They drink a lot of espresso based drinks here, so much so that if you want filtered coffee, you need to specify.
Buildings are mostly kept open, and birds are permitted to enter and exit at will. Screens are not often used, but most every shop has a big bug-zapper. Most buildings do not have internal heating, and large space heaters are a common sight. I find it amusing to watch the birds clean off the tables beside me.
Edit...
After getting lost, getting rained on, shined on, rained on, etc. I have had enough of this island. My poor umbrella unfortunately didn't survive the wind. Ahh, well. It builds "character".
