Today I took the ferry to Waiheke (WA HEE KEE) passing quite a few volcanoes along the way.

Yes, don't be fooled by the grass, all volcanoes:

Waiheke is this sleepy place reminiscent of Fire Island. In fact, quite a few home could be relocated and fit right in.

Here is a picture of a typical house:

Its a great place to just kick back and relax! Today I explored the sometimes treacherous walking paths as a fine misted rain fell. It rained all day but the sun peeked out late in the day for a short period and showed its true power. Quite a bit hotter than I expected. Didn't last, more rain. A chance encounter on todays walk was with a taxi driver who was watching over the bike rental place. After a few pleasantries, he started talking about his recent foray into currency trading. Go Figya, of all the discussion topics. It got sufficiently cold tonight that heating was required. The fantastic room conveniently has a mock fireplace that was quite comforting. BTW, when I say mock, I mean that its gas fed with pseudo-lava rocks, not a stupid fake fireplace that I have seen in so many American homes LOL.

I am staying at the boat shed. Its a very comfortable and amenable B&B with a great view. Management is quite knowledgeable and friendly. We also have quite the diverse set of guests. I want to note, the kiwi couple here on their second honeymoon. They recently left jobs working for that single named German bank in the UK to return home for quality of life. I have a great view of Oneida bay from my window. We are located on a hill overlooking the place. While I was just looking around the place, I found a coffee table book titled great small hotels and BAM right on the cover is the boat shed. Turns out someone had a brilliant marketing idea and sold the idea of customizing the book cover for each facility in the book. Quite impressive, I spent a few minutes discussing with a fellow guest what other ways we might apply said customization.

Here is the Boat Shed and some environs:

Furthermore, I learned that the USA isn't the only country allegedly using terrorist legislation inappropriately. There is currently on ongoing investigation into how the local anti-terror regs were used to deal with a fringe Maori group. For those not in the know. Maori refers to the local native culture, about 10% of the population. Stay tuned, I will be updating this story as it happens. From what I have learned from talking to people there is a lot more separatism than I expected from my research.

And now for something completely different.

Netball world championships. WTH is netball you say? I have no idea really other than its some basketball derivative that only uses passing to move the ball. People are quite frantic over it.