Anniversary on an Island

Hi my lovelies!

Here's what my lovely boyfriend, Andrei, and I got up to last weekend to celebrate our 5years of dating each other....



The most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen! Taken over Little Oneroa beach, Waiheke Island.


28.07.2012



On the ferry. We took my car (Nissan Cube) to save us renting one.

  Getting everything prepared the day before and a month ahead I.E. Gas for the car, money put aside, accommodation, restaurant booking; we were off at 5am to board our ferry that would take us to the little island outside of Auckland, Waiheke.

I'd only been to Waiheke once, and that was only for half a day, so I didn't really get to see much.
So having Andrei as the pro of knowing the island inside and out, he knew exactly were to take me :-)

And as soon as we arrived we went straight into the Oneroa township which overlooked it's beach and the beautiful sunrise which I captured in the first photo pictured.
The most romantic and perfect setting to start our weekend off!



"Happy 5 Years"

Throughout the day we visited different beaches based around the Island that were in reach due to some roads we were driving on were quite rough and didn't take us quite the whole way to our destination.
But otherwise, the scenery was just gorgeous and the vineyards which are found all over the island defined the islands beauty even more!




Hand prints in the sand



Pretty boardwalk at Orapiu Beach




Lovely Polynesian setting to our holiday home!

 

After driving around all morning we finally checked into our holiday home, which for $200 for two night's was not a bad deal as it came with all cooking facilities, cable T.V, a lovely bedroom and bathroom.

It also came with a tiny vineyard which we were entitled to help our self to the grapes when in season but unfortunately they weren't, also a hut with an outdoor bathtub but the weather was too cold!
And last but not least, a two person kayak.

So only three things that we missed out on due to having our Anniversary in the middle of winter but it wasn't all doom and gloom, we had a lovely restaurant to go have dinner at the following day.
And with the promise of it raining on our Anniversary day, we had plenty of cable T.V to watch and a comfy sofa to cuddle up on :-)

Beautiful vineyards defined the gorgeous Waiheke!

29.07.2012

The day we met approximately 5years ago at an ice-skating arena :-)

I honestly don't where the time has gone. We must be doing something good!
But all I know is that when I'm with him I am myself and I don't think anyone else will get me like he does :-)



Our first weekend away 5 years ago!




5 years later <3

 We have come such a long way too and I can't help but get a little nostalgic when I see the photo of our first weekend away together, and how much we've grown since then, it truly amazes me and makes me realise how much I dearly love him :-)

Waves crashing onto one of the beaches we visited on the day

During the day we visited a few beaches and wildlife parks and paid a visit to his grandmother's grave.
So what started off as a nice day turned in to rain, so it was back to base!
We spent the rest of the day cuddled up on the couch and watching a lot of crap T.V until it was time to get ready for our romantic dinner at Waiheke's acclaimed restaurant, Mudbrick, which you can look up more about on there website here http://www.mudbrick.co.nz/

Fairy lights created the romantic and relaxing tone of the restaurant

A real fire place in the dining area

It was the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to, hence the fact it was pouring with rain!
We were the only one's in the restaurant for the first hour, which suited us fine, all you could hear was our laughter reminiscing of old memories and taking silly photo's, a usual for us :-)

The setting was very rustic and French inspired, surrounded by it's own vineyard and beautiful gardens were they create there own brand of wine and also grow there own garden produce.
A lot of weddings are held there due to the romantic setting and Andrei and I discussed that if we ever decide to tie the knot, that would be the place to have it!

The food was to-die for!
For dinner we both ordered the First Class New Zealand Lamb Lion, that included peanuts, golden kumara, grape & shallot vinaigrette.
And dessert, we shared the Warm Valrhona Chocolate Fondant, that included crème Fraiche Ice Cream, smoked pineapple, candied chilli and a cute chocolate board wishing us a Happy Anniversary :-)

The service and food quality was fantastic and I would love to go there again. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the island.

Our delicious dinner!

Men do love their beer!



Dessert!

After all that good food and bad weather we made out journey home and chilled out for the rest of the evening, watched some more bad T.V and the gymnastics premiered on Olympics :-)

The next day it was back to the main land.(big fat sigh)
We cleaned and packed up at the holiday home and drove around Waiheke one last time and got a quick feed of fish and chips before heading to the ferry dock at 1pm.

Overall it was the best weekend away apart from the bad weather, but I wouldn't have spent it any other way.
It was relaxing and was great to get out of the hussel and bussel of the city :-)


Hope I didn't brag too much and I hope you enjoyed!
Happy Friday everyone and have a lovely weekend :D

XOXOX