Wine in Waiheke.

The honeymoon just kept getting better and better.  Next we hopped on a ferry and headed to Waiheke Island for the day to enjoy one of my fave hobbies, wine tasting!  The views from the ferry were breathtaking.  The blue-green water was mesmerizing and we couldn't help but smile.  We arrived to the island and quickly headed to the first winery, Mudbrick.  Sitting in the middle of a winery, on an island (!), surrounded by gorgeous water is something that I will never forget. 

We also headed over to Cable Bay winery and explored the outdoor art sculptures.  We instantly fell in love with the place.  

We could hardly believe it, but our trip was very soon coming to an end (sad face).  We headed back to the city and spent the last evening of our trip in Auckland.  We ate more scrumptious food and walked around downtown taking in every last bit of the energy of this place (and even spotted a giant Santa).  This trip was crazy fun....filled with so many great memories!  G and I truly can't stop talking about it & we can't wait to go back.

Goodbye New Zealand, we already miss you!

xoxo, Myka

A Honeymoon Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in New Zealand was incredible.  Yes, I said it, we had our very own little celebration while on our honeymoon.  Our amazing friend Nicole (Georges and I have known her since our college days), now lives in a small beach town just outside of downtown Auckland (she was one of the major reasons why we chose NZ as our honeymoon destination).  She and her boyfriend Andy treated us to a Thanksgiving feast that was outta control.  It was Nicole's first time cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal ALL BY HERSELF, and I must give her major props.  Everything was scrumptious!

Nicole even had to go to the "American Store" to try and find cool whip for the pumpkin pie.  No such luck, but she did find this "Dream Whip" (which looks like it's circa 1982).  Don't let the box fool you, it was delicious. 

The meal was amazing...and so was the company.  The next morning they took us on a little walk through their neighborhood.  The houses were gorgeous and of course there was yet another beautiful beach right around the corner.

Thank you Nicole & Andy!!!  We had so much fun spending Thanksgiving with you two and your cute friends!

Next week...wine tasting and yes, more yummy meals.  

xoxo, Myka

The Beach.

Our amazing honeymoon continued as we drove towards the Coromandel Peninsula.  Ohhhh and did I mention that we drove on the left side of the road?  Yes, we both gave it a whirl and it was quite the experience!  I've been riding public transportation for the past 3 years in San Francisco, so I don't drive a lot in my day-to-day life.  I was definitely a little freaked out at the prospect of driving on the wrong side of the street!  I must say, I think it went pretty well.  It also helped that the scenery along our drive was seriously drop dead gorgeous.  As we drove out of the city and into the rolling green hills, we were in awe.  We were now entering the countryside of New Zealand, the gorgeous greenery that you hear so much about.  I'm not sure if I can even describe in words the amazing landscape.  The hills are in technicolor, a more vibrant green then we could have ever imagined.  It was heaven.

We had booked what we thought was a hotel room in the small town of Whitianga (I still can't get over the fact that it was pronounced "Fidi-anga").  When we arrived we were greeted by a very lively woman (truth be told, I kind of loved her spazziness, she was so cute).  She had us follow her through a "neighborhood" where we were to stay.  This place was our home for the next three days (a townhouse about 10 times the size of our San Francisco apartment).  It was perfect!  We spent our days walking along the beach, taking drives along the coast, and stuffing our faces with some of the yummiest food on the planet.  

We found a cute little breakfast place on our first morning there (Tide Cafe), and stopped in to get a flat white (their version of a coffee).  And check out the breakfast of champions below!  This sleepy little beach town did not disappoint!  We enjoyed every moment of the gorgeous beaches and our relaxing days.

On our last day, as we headed back towards the city, we stopped at Cathedral Cove to take a little hike (we were in New Zealand after all, the land of outdoor sports).  I think G was quite amused at my sporty attire.  Ummmm, who says gold Toms aren't appropriate?  I totally think they are the new hiking boots.

Stay tuned...as we head back to the city for a Thanksgiving feast.

xoxo, Myka

Honeymoon Bliss.

I truly don't know where to begin.  Our honeymoon in New Zealand was dreamy, gorgeous, and more relaxing then I could have ever imagined.  I had long awaited this trip, and it was so wonderful that I felt as though I was in a dream.  As G and I laid our heads down on the flight over, I couldn't help but feel at ease.  I was oh so excited for this adventure to begin, and it truly did not disappoint.  As we landed in Auckland and stared at our surroundings, I was in awe.  It is a gorgeous city on the sea.  The water...such an incredible blue-green color that I thought I might still be dreaming, but no, it was really THAT pretty.  Wow.  We were finally on our honeymoon.  And an extra added bonus, G and I were also there to visit our friend from college, Nicole, who's been living in New Zealand for the past year with her amazing boyfriend Andy.  A honeymoon AND a reunion with a long time friend...it just doesn't really get much better then that.

We spent our first two days wandering the city streets of Auckland and exploring the little shops (I even stopped by here, the clothes were so cute).  G and I both kept telling each other how at home we felt.  Of course, our amazing tour guides had much to do with that, but the city as a whole was so inviting.  Auckland immediately reminding us of our days living in San Diego...a laid-back "city on the beach" vibe.

After exploring the city by day, Nicole & Andy took us out to the most incredible dinners.  After our first night's feast (I swear...we ate our way through the city...so much good food), we met up with their friends at a local bar.  Their Kiwi and British friends were so inviting and hilarious, we felt as though we had known these people forever.  Our first two nights were so.much.fun.  

After our weekend of great food and wonderful company, it was off to a new adventure.  As the sun rose on Monday morning we were ready for more.  It was time to leave the city life behind (just for now) and head to a little beach town.

We rented a car (and drove on the opposite side of the road!!!) and headed to the Coromandel Peninsula.  We spent the following three days wandering along the coastline.  More to come next week.

xoxo, Myka

Our Italian Honeymoon.

Hope you enjoy! Some snippets from our trip along the Amalfi Coast and Rome. Courtesy of the hubs!

XO,

T.

Honeymoon in Italy from Austin Hendrix on Vimeo.