Sunday on Waiheke

This is our first 'day off' since we arrived in Auckland. We have spent most of the first couple of weeks looking for the right area to live in. That means somewhere close enough for George to get to work, where the kids can go to a good school and with enough parks and space for walking. Sounds easy until you start driving around and see the size of Auckland city. It's geographically the size of Greater London. An undulating urban sprawl with beaches, rain forest, rural wine regions and of course, traditional suburbs. Having explored all options we are currently heading for the suburbs of the Eastern Bays. It has the best mix for us at this present time so we'll have to see how things develop.

Waiheke Island is a 30 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland and has some fantastic beaches and walks. It's also a fun place to check out the wonderful array of beach houses that peep over the clifftops with their spectacular sea views.



The Skytower dominates the Auckland skyline and is now a famous landmark in the city.



The kids loved watching the spray churned up by the ferry as we got further from the Auckland skyline.



When we were last in Auckland two and half years ago, we stayed on Waiheke Island and Yasmin swung naked on this tyre. Now she's far too self aware, but she still took great delight in showing Theo how much fun you can have with simple improvisation.



This is the scene as you walk towards Oneroa Beach from the village.



Here is Oneroa Beach on a busy Sunday afternoon during the spring half term. I think there's someone else out there.





One side of Palm Beach. On the other is a beach for those who are keen naturists, as we discovered. Boy, did we blush!



This is a clifftop view of Palm Beach.