Happy New Year, everyone! Lee - it's great to hear from you. Both of us beat most of the world into 2010, didn't we? Heh heh heh

We enjoyed an easy flight to Auckland, meeting June and Brian just outside the security area. After doing a quick tour of the North Shore area, all four of us boarded the 3 pm Fuller's ferry to Waiheke Island. Resident New Zealand seniors ride the ferry for free, a good value since the round trip tickets are NZ$32 apiece.

We found the closest open winery and settled in for a toast (or two … or three). Cable Bay has a lovely outdoor sculpture garden, cleverly arranged to be most beautiful against the setting sun, the blue sky and the bay below. Time flew, so a scramble ensued for a taxi. All's fair when it's a ferry timetable - so June and Brian caught the first taxi. Our taxi to the opposite end of the island arrived next, followed by June and Brian's ordered taxi. As we swung out of the parking lot, the taxi radio crackled “The June party has been stolen by the competition!” Following this little contretemps, we arrived at our lodging for the evening, Te Whau (pronounced Te Fow) Lodge.

Sumptuous is the word best describing our lodge. Gene O'Neill and Liz Eglington purpose built this four room inn. Harold Roark (from Ayn Rand's book, “The Fountainhead”) would wholeheartedly approve. Native New Zealand pine covers ceilings, walls and most floors. Skylights illuminate the bath, providing perfect light for one's make-up regimen. Lovely balconies provide sheltered, stunning views down the hill to the bay below. We were allocated the fish room, with bright original artwork and a bedside short story reader entitled “Seduced by the Sea”.

We took off for a walk before dinner, quickly learning a volcanic island means lots of hills and valleys. Nearby olive trees and herds of alpaca supplemented the vineyards as a source of product and income. Drinks and canapes were served at 7 in the common room overlooking the bay. Gene surely knows how to concoct tasty, interesting fare. Local wines were featured and congenial conversation ensued. Another couple from Auckland joined us around the common table for dinner, he an engineer and she a finance director. Talk about four peas in a pod! Gene prepared two kinds of lamb – a rump cut and a shoulder cutlet on the bone. I'm not a big fan of lamb, yet really enjoyed both of the offerings. A pearl barley and diced vegetable accompanied the lamb, along with grilled baby zucchini. Lamb was matched with a locally produced montepulciano wine, followed by a syrah. The syrah carried us nicely into a deep chocolate tart pastry topped with an abundance of grilled white peaches and baked berries. Gene guided the conversation, and next thing we knew it was 11:30 pm. Time to haul out the champagne, look through the fog for the Sky Tower and watch the ensuing fireworks to ring in the new year.

Next morning, we took another walk before a late breakfast. Another locally based, amazing meal ensued. We enjoyed a leisurely look at the island, returning by ferry to the North Shore. June and Gary had arranged to challenge the local competition at the tennis courts. Brian volunteered as the umpire and I served as match referee. The inaugural Milford Slazenger Invitational Tournament, Davis Cup Division commenced on schedule. The Filipino team must have obtained video footage of Gary's tennis strategy, running him mercilessly around the courts. June cracked several short cross court winners, and Gary skidded several down the long lines for winners. Alas, Marianne's deadly forehand delivered the winning shots. We conducted the award ceremony, complete with crossed rackets and a feeble attempt at the Filipino national anthem.

We checked into our accommodation on the Takapuna Beach promenade. Eek .. another self catering studio was entrusted to us. I eyed that toaster warily, since it was a public holiday = no stores open to stock breakfast. Much to my relief, the proprietors do offer a breakast for a few hours in the morning. We settled in to watching the old Whoopie Goldberg movie, sisterhood (?) and promptly fell asleep.

We plan to go further afield this morning, heading out to see the gannet colony and finishing up with a drink at the Sky tower in Auckland this evening. Our ship is scheduled arrive around 5 pm this afternoon, so we'll be able see her sail in if the weather gods cooperate.

This trip has already been wonderful in so many ways. Gary's family had hosted an AFS student from New Zealand for the 1986-87 school year in New Jersey. They have lost touch over the many years. Out of the blue, he mentions this to our hosts at Te Whau, who grabbed the Auckland phone book. Sure enough, there was only one entry for her surname. Gary called and voila! Her parents answered the phone. She's gone on to be an excellent pastry chef in Auckland and will meet us for a coffee in the early evening. He's really looking forward to seeing her after all these years .. and I'm secretly hoping she also brings a little sample of her concoctions. Can't wait for the day to begin .. but if I don't get off this computer RIGHT NOW, breakfast will close and I'll be forced to navigate the kitchen again.

Cheers, Anne