Dan Ahwa and Zoe Walker glamp it up at Waiheke Island’s grammable Tent House.
FRIDAY PM
1. We walk to the ferry from our office and stop for an afternoon gelato at the newly opened Island Gelato at the Ferry Terminal. It's the perfect way to get into the island vibes - Island Gelato is almost a Waiheke institution having opened in 2014 in Oneroa. Plenty of delicious flavours to try, but we settle for the Aged Balsamic and Strawberry and the Waiheke Sangria - Waiheke here we come! #WeLoveGelato @IslandGelatoCompany
2. We have a cheeky Peroni on board the ferry, and head out to get some fresh air and enjoy the views of Rangitoto Island. Captain announces over the loudspeaker, in a perfectly pitched deadpan voice: "Remember you are on a boat. They do move from time to time." #Fullersnz
3. Arrive at our bach for the weekend - a stunning tent-shaped structure in the middle of native bush. It is the work of award-winning designer Chris Tate. So peaceful - until the iPad lights up with Metallica blasting from the playlist. Hilarious.
The bach is so stylish and modern. It has a kitchen, bathroom and an upstairs bedroom, but the highlight is the spa pool and fire pit in the garden. Within waking distance to Palm beach and a short drive to Oneroa and surrounding vineyards, it's the perfect base for the weekend. #Tenthouse #ModernBach Good Luck @ChrisTateArchitecture
4. Welcome bottle of merlot from the nearby Goldie Estate Vineyard @goldieestatenz. Notice the bach's very sleek white interiors. #WineOClock #Architecture
5. Head to Little Oneroa for dinner. Zoe and I have our usual debate over what to have for dinner - the nearby fish and chip shop is a local favourite, but we settle for the wood-fire pizzas from @Dragonfired which is right next to the beach and everything's made in a small caravan. The pizzas go down a treat with the bottle of merlot from the bach. Cue sunset and contented faces. Also trying out Eastern End ginger beer, also from Waiheke. Made with pohutukawa honey, this has turned out to be a very bougie picnic on the beach indeed.
Dan Ahwa and Zoe Walker at Onetangi Beach.
6. Head back to the bach and collapse on the bed. Look out at the greenery from our window and spot the wax-eyes, tui and kereru. Feel like David Attenborough for a minute. So special. #NatureWatch
SATURDAY
1. Wake up! But first, coffee. Head to The Annex, cool little cottage-style cafe on Putiki Rd. in Ostend. Great coffee. Zoe opts for a brioche and I go for a cheese scone slapped with butter. Delicious. Morena!@-the-annex
2. Head to the Waiheke market at 76 Ostend Rd. Mix of locals and Brazillian travellers playing drums. The hall features a variety of stalls, including some lovely fresh flowers by @nourishgardens, vintage clothes and handmade knitwear. Stop for more coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. If not for the scone I had earlier at The Annex, I would have made a beeline for the Jaffle caravan.
3. We head to Victorian Gilt, a treasure trove of vintage that was once a popular sourcing spot for magazines back in Epsom several years ago. Today, its charming owner Gill Ward greets us. After 36 years, she's looking to shut up shop with a closing down sale on January 9-14, 2018. Don't miss out on some rare vintage finds before it goes away forever. Zoe contemplates whether to buy our future daughter a vintage baby-doll dress. I'm thinking about lunch already.
4. Time for lunch at the popular Oyster Inn Restaurant in the heart of Oneroa village. I have been looking forward to it all morning. The boutique luxury hotel and restaurant has been popular since it opened in 2012. We try the Oyster Inn Sauv Blanc 2016 from Marlborough, with some fresh oysters, the spring gnocchi with asparagus, spinach, broccoli, courgette, pea puree, parmesan, Kingfish sashimi and crispy spiced school prawns with miso mayo. Food coma ensues. Chat with co-owner Andrew Glenn, who is a real gent, and always out greeting everyone and chatting. Makes you feel like you're at someone's home and puts you at ease. We love the chill vibes of the place and can't wait to bring back family and friends over summer. @oysterinnstagram #ChillVibesOnly. Head downstairs to its gift shop full of cool resort wear and books. Buy Mum a tote bag she's always wanted.
Fresh Waiheke oysters from The Oyster Inn. Photo / Dan Ahwa
5. Must lie down - head to Onetangi beach and take in the sweeping views post Oyster Inn feast. #BeachBum
SUNDAY
1. Another pitstop at our new local favourite The Annex for a coffee. Drive out to Te Motu Estate @Te-motu-Waiheke for a wine tasting. We polish off our glasses of five wines, while everyone else around us uses the spitter.
2. At midday head to the nearby and recently opened Tantalus Estate @Tantalusestate. Feels like I'm in Calabasas - old Spanish mission-style architecture overlooking a sprawling vineyard. Head downstairs to the Alibi Brewers lounge for some craft beer. Zoe checks out the powder room and is mesmerised by the beautiful floor-to-ceiling blue and white decorative tiling. #Luxury
Victorian Gilt Waiheke Island. Photo / Dan Ahwa
3. Head back home and jump in the spa, looking up at the native ferns and thinking about never leaving the Island. Zoe pours us some tasty rose from Mudbrick vineyard @mudbrick-nz. Must come back soon. #GoingPlaces #Travel #WaihekeParadise
Lowdown
The Tent House, designed by Chris Tate, has been nominated for an award at the prestigious Berlin Architecture Awards on November 16-18
