Waiheke Island and Devonport

I have been a busy little bee going through my Waterwise Instructor (sailing) course.  We had two classes last week, plus one on Sunday morning and now our tests are this week.  Justine (friend from Iowa) and I have had a few study sessions to get prepared for Tuesday-the written test, and Thursday-the practical test.  Wish us luck!
Last week I also went to a jewelry party with my host mum which was fun but I didn't find anything to buy : (

The weather was gorgeous this past weekend so Justine and I took advantage of it.  We went to Waiheke Island on Saturday which is about a 20 minute ferry ride away.  It is a not so heavily populated island where it is famous for its wineries and vineyards. We had no plans whatsoever and it ended up being an absolutely brilliantly laid out day.  Using a winery map that we found at the information center getting off of the ferry, we walked around the island for most of the morning.  We decided to get lunch and a wine tasting at a winery called Mudbrick.  It was on top of a hill and overlooked the ocean, seeing all the way back to mainland.  It was the most breathtaking view!  On our way up to Mudbrick a shuttle driver pulled over and requested that we call him for a ride when we were finished with our tasting.  His number was easy to remember so we ended up giving him a ring.  Good thing we did-he was a great tour guide for the rest of the afternoon!  He took us to an other winetasting of his friends, to must see picture opportunity spots, a nudest beach : /, and the gorgeous Palm Beach.  It was absolutely phenomenal. I have never been to a place with such luscious green grass, and clear blue ocean.  I wanted to capture the smells and take them home with me.  The entire day it smelled like a Yankee candle with scents of fruits, flowers, and fresh air.  When we returned to the ferry to go home we noticed everyone on one end staring at the water with their cameras out.  There were 4 wild orca whales in the harbour, and even a baby!!! It was absolutely stunning.  I have never seen anything so neat. 

After Waterwise in the morning Justine and I went to Devonport which is a wealthy supburb on the North Shore.  We rented bikes to ride for the afternoon.  We rode around town and up North Head.  North Head is a volcanic mountain that was used in World War II for the NZ army to hide in while awaiting the Japanese.  There were creepy, dark caves that we wandered through where they used to keep supplies and hid during the war. From the top you can see all of the North Shore, the Pacific Ocean, and Auckland City.  Gorgeous!!!

I'm back to school today teaching small reading groups, maths, and phonics.  We also have been working on singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for the Christmas in the Glade show they have every year.