Waiheke Reminiscing - A Getaway for One
Last spring, the idea of a weekend away captured my imagination.
I have plenty of good company in my life, but was drawn to the allure of a solo getaway - with the goal of simply relaxing and enjoying a new environment.
I can become so focused on painting that breaking the mould has a certain pleasure. A freedom! Time to branch out and embrace what the world has to offer.
Spotting a special offer from a travel company I follow on Instagram, the ‘let’s do it’ lamp switched on. Instagram has introduced me to so many interesting people and places over the year and this was no exception.
(Are you on Instagram too? Let’s connect!)
Hotel Indigo was utterly perfect. Welcoming staff were always ready for a chat, and the French-speaking staff indulged my penchant for retaining their language. Interesting guests occasionally paused to chat…one from Tahiti…adding to the whole experience. Their kitchen produced a delicious menu, included in the package, along with a welcoming glass of Champagne each evening.
With a little tingle of nerves - ( not a happy sailor) - I took the Waiheke Ferry, but very smooth sailing landed us in a sheltered bay. We all piled onto the hop on/hop off bus, my first stop being the famous Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant – vineyard, cellars, restaurant and tasting rooms.
As a landscape garden sleuth, this relaxed yet no-less appealing winery garden drew me right in.
Give me topiary and wildly rampant underplanting any day! The layered landscape looks towards the southwest and Auckland city. There is a windsweptness that adds a rugged beauty, holding the eye on the native bush as a backdrop.
I wandered through a formal garden terrace with a fringe of white geraniums and promised dahlias. The entrance has a definite feeling of walking into a garden of your own, then into the Glasshouse Restaurant beyond.
The clipped rosemary, various evergreens and rustic yet well-formed stone stairways meandered ahead.
One of the things that betrays a highly organised destination is its relaxed simplicity and enough friendly staff to make everyone feel special. The wine was rather special too.
I’m a textile aficionado. Morris & James, antique embroideries and Tuscan treasures get my taste buds whetted. When this chaise longue came into view, I fell in love... again! Simply refurbished and a beautiful design.
As I lounged in a soft end-of-spring state looking out on Rangitoto Island, gratitude for all the good things in my life was foremost in my mind. I suspect everyone else there was on the same page!
While the day took me on a trip around the island, Mudbrick was my highlight. The relaxed ambience and knowledgeable staff made my visit very enjoyable. I could have rested back enjoying the ambience all day!
The scenery and views from the ferry back to Auckland are simply iconic.
If you can wrangle the opportunity for a solo getaway, I urge you to take it!
A wonderful experience.
Jenny x