We had our first and only full day in Auckland.  We walked along the waterfront in the harbor for about four blocks.  It was beautiful.  After such an exhaustive exploration of Auckland, we ducked into the historic Ferry building and found a short cruise to the island of Waiheke.  It was hot and sunny and calm.  It felt like the perfect day to be on the water.  Plus, the kids we were all still tired from all our travel.

I never realized how many islands lie in the bay of Auckland.  We passed by a half a dozen in the short 45 minute ferry to Waiheke.  One island, we were told, erupted out of the ocean only 700 years ago.  Wild.  

We arrived on Waiheke and were given the hard sell for a 20 minute tour.  While skeptical, we assented.  It was a great decision.  We had been considering touring the island on bikes, but as we crested the first steep hill, Rob and I looked at each other wide-eyed, both grateful for the motorized engine and the chatty guide.  We were given the history of the island, saw the beautiful beaches, the lush fauna and passed by the touristy village.  Our guide dropped us at the Mudbrick winery at the top of a hill.  It was designed to be a 15 minute stop; a chance to follow a footpath to 360 degree views of the island.  We decided to end our island tour here and spent the afternoon on the deck, eating lunch, playing cards and wine tasting.  I won't say Rob sprinted into the tasting room upon arrival, but it was certainly an attraction.  In classic Pennell fashion, we reached the summit with the stunning views and the camera battery died before we could take a picture.  Some things never change.

From the winery it was a 20 minute downhill walk back to the ferry.  Within five minutes, we bypassed another stunning winery.  Rob felt the children were parched and thought it best to stop at the winery to rehydrate the kids and his palate.  This winery was even more stunning than the last, with a huge grassy field and wind sculptures lining the vineyards.  While the children sprinted from sculpture to sculpture, and I trailed yelling at them to stop climbing the artwork (this whole scene played out in front of the couples enjoying a romantic lunch and wine tasting), Rob enjoyed the serenity of another wine tasting.  

Suddenly realizing we had but 15 minutes to make the ferry, we sprinted down the footpath toward the boat, barely making it.  

We finished out a great first day with dinner reservations at a nice restaurant in Auckland.  Immediately after ordering dinner, both kids faceplanted in our laps and fell asleep.  Mia was snoring on Rob's lap and Kai drooled on my lap, even adjusting a few times to wipe his mouth on my leg.  Rob and I enjoyed a quiet, romantic dinner together, then carried the kids to bed.

ROB'S take on the day:  We're moving to Waiheke Island.  Great fishing, hot weather, and 30 wineries on an island the size of Catalina.