Auckland to Hawke Bay and back.

[drron]

After our cruise on the Muse we spent 5 nights in Auckland and then 6 nights travelling to Haumoana and Wairoa stopping at Hamilton on the way back to AKL.And yes it is Hawke bay as it was named by Captain Cook in honour of Admiral Hawke who defeated the French in 1759 at the Battle of Quiberon Bay.
After disembarking from the Silver Muse it was a slightly longer taxi trip than planned due to the lower end of Queen street being a hole for the new underground railway.
We arrived at 1030 and quite a few people trying to book in.most told they had to wait.We were given a choice of having a room on the 6th floor straight away or wait for tthe same type of room on the 16th floor.We chose the 6th floor.At least they didn't put the keycards into a "you have been upgraded"packet.

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There was a problem in the bathroom.When showering the water ran all over the floor.It nearly reached the bedroom the first day so on the second we were prepared.

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Why do you need this sliding partition between the bed and bathroom.

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The third day we had worked out that the water ran straight across the metal in the grid.So an easy solution.

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And yes those are mrsdrron's legs in the shower.

 

[drron]

We were feeling pretty washed out the first day.just took a stroll back to the wharf and had an icecream.couldn't be bothered going back out so ate at the hotel.It was pretty good.

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Mrsdrron enjoyed her pizza and my pork belly with sweet potato mash,broad beans and peas was excellent.I also enjoyed the kiwi cider.

The second day we came down with the lurgi,thankfully only for a day.So stayed and ate in again.

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I started with what was called snapper sashimi but actually is a cerviche.And it was nice.mrsdrron had the penne with mushrooms.really good with lots of mushrooms.I then had the lamb rump on an Asian slaw.very nice.

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finally on the third day we ventured out.that next.

 

[Deleted member]

That all looks very tasty.

 

[Major]

I can't seem to find a Kiwi beer that I like. IMHO they produce more beer than beer

 

[drron]

I can still remember the day over 50 years ago when I first tasted Speight's beer.Not a drop has passed my lips since Major.Though the 2 I have posted pics of on this last trip have been OK.

 

[burmans]

I can still remember the day over 50 years ago when I first tasted Speight's beer.

Back when I was at University in Dunedin they used to say 'drink Speights, lose your mates'. So I agree with this bit, but frankly NZ got into the craft beer scene well before Australia and even now still probably shades in how many variety/options are available. Of course if you are a VB or Tooheys fan you'll probably always be a VB or a Tooheys fan.

 

[Milboo]

Hawke’s Bay

Derived from Hawke Bay but most definitely Hawke’s Bay!

 

[drron]

Thats the region and province but official maps still have it as Hawke Bay.

 

[drron]

Wednesday and we went down to the ferry again.

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And headed off to Devonport.

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The Esplanade hotel which will feature again later.
We then walked up and down the main street.A few nice buildings.

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[drron]

Overlooked by Mount Victoria.

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The Great War memorial.

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Mrsdrron still didn't feel back to normal so she sat in the park whilst i walked along the foreshore.some nice old homes but with hefty price tags.

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Looking towards Torpedo bay and north Head.

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[Milboo]

Thats the region and province but official maps still have it as Hawke Bay.

The bay aka ocean is Hawke Bay. The region aka land area is Hawke’s Bay - and that’s what you’re visiting.

My family has been in Hawke’s Bay for generations (and still are) - you would have passed many a sign with the family names on it.

 

[kermatu]

We arrived at 1030 and quite a few people trying to book in.most told they had to wait.We were given a choice of having a room on the 6th floor straight away or wait for tthe same type of room on the 16th floor.We chose the 6th floor.At least they didn't put the keycards into a "you have been upgraded"packet.

Which hotel?

 

[drron]

It was the Four Points.

 

[drron]

A couple more buildings.

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good views.

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Then we made an unfortunate decision.To have lunch at the Esplanade hotel.Menu looked all right,the view was great,weather fine plus the cider and wine were good.

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We decided to have a dozen oysters kilpatrick each and to share a plate of salt and pepper squid.What could go wrong?

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Well we got a lesson on how to destroy good seafood.
Oysters Kilpatrick-a glob of Father's Favourite sauce on each oyster then some diced capsicum,cheese and bacon on top and a few seconds under the grill.And we waited over half an hour to get them.
Then the salt and pepper sqid-when does this describe deep fried battered calamari rings.
So good on you NZ-our worst seafood meal ever.
Do not eat here.

 

[drron]

Then a pleasant ferry ride back to Auckland.

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Passing an old 12 metre yacht.

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Appropriate they should have 12 metre yachts here.Sir Peter Blake was the first non USA challenger to win then defend the America's cup.he grew up in Devonport/Bayswater.Sadly shot by pirates and died in 2002.
There seemed to be a new vehicle carrier here every day.

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Back to the ferry wharf and another icecream.then the walk up Queen street again.

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[love_the_life]

A couple more buildings.

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good views.

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Then we made an unfortunate decision.To have lunch at the Esplanade hotel.Menu looked all right,the view was great,weather fine plus the cider and wine were good.

.

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.
We decided to have a dozen oysters kilpatrick each and to share a plate of salt and pepper squid.What could go wrong?

.

.
Well we got a lesson on how to destroy good seafood.
Oysters Kilpatrick-a glob of Father's Favourite sauce on each oyster then some diced capsicum,cheese and bacon on top and a few seconds under the grill.And we waited over half an hour to get them.
Then the salt and pepper sqid-when does this describe deep fried battered calamari rings.
So good on you NZ-our worst seafood meal ever.
Do not eat here.

We went over to Devonport last week. The Esplanade Hotel was doing a roaring trade but I had the feeling that they were catering to the day trippers/tourists with overpriced and possibly underwhelming food. You have confirmed my suspicions. Reminds me a bit of some of the places at Manly.

 

[drron]

The next day it was off to Waiheke Island.The day wasn't as nice cloudy with a haze.

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looks like another mansion is being planned.

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Being our first time to the Island we thought it best to try the hop on hop off bus.Besides for a seniot the combined ticket was not much more than the price of the ferry.So snaps from the bus.

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[drron]

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At first they seemed to care for the mangroves.but maybe not.

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Passed the cemetery,museum and golf course.

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On the other side of the road were wineries.

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[drron]

And the bus goes on.Onetangi Bay.

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A couple of restaurants that looked all right.

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Back past the vineyards.

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Then up a hill to Bachs vineyard which has good views.

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[drron]

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It has now started to rain.

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