Howick Historical Village

Day 6, we collected the car from rental company, so we decided to visit place that out of Auckland city. I am always fascinated on those old buildings. I like to see it, photo it, very elegance. There is a place called Howick Historical Village. They locate all colonial buildings at one place and form this interesting village for tourist. 

As the journey took about an hour and more, so we bought food and had it there. Picnic at Historical Village, sound good. As an Asian we always look for Asian cuisine especially those with rice. Fortunately in New Zealand this is not a problem, we could easily spotted Chinese Take Away.

After did some research, I decided to rent from this company. 
https://www.acerentalcars.co.nz/
NZD45 per day. This is our ride in Northern Island. Told them when I returned the car, the car had not done proper servicing as its body shaken when speed over 90 km/hr.

Howick Historical Village is about Fencible settlement theme. Fencible settlement is army regiment in the past to defence against the threat of invasion. It started in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Usually temporary units, composed of local volunteers, commanded by Regular Army officers, their role was, as their name suggests, confined to garrison and patrol duties, freeing the Regular Army units to perform offensive operations. Those buildings in the Howick Historical Village were built during that period.

During the earlier settlement, they stayed in tent.

Pharmacy

This village is managed by a group of volunteers. It is good to visit and support them to keep this interesting place alive.

http://www.fencible.org.nz/

Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park

Pakuranga, Auckland

PO Box 38-105

Howick, 2145

New Zealand

Weekend and weekday: 10 am to 4 pm, Winter till 3 pm

La Cigale French Market

Day 5 we went to La Cigale French Market at Parnell suburb of Auckland. I like to visit local market when travel. Have been to Salamanca of Tasmania, market at Monumental, Barcelona. It gives me a chance to taste their local foods, what locals eat for breakfast, also can buy some stuffs for me to prepare my next morning breakfast. 

La Cigale French Market has various stalls and some are French foods. It also house few eateries so when shoppers done their shopping, can lay back, have a sip of coffee and food. 

Cheese

Have not seen such cakes in my country. Tried it, nice!

Some toiletries as well.

Groceries

After shopped and had our meal at La Cigale, we headed to nearby garden for a walk. New Zealand's geographic isolation for 80 million years, so it is interesting to visit their garden and explore those unique flowers, trees, ferns, etc. 

We headed to Dove-Myer Robinson Park, walking distance from La Cigale French Market.

When headed back, passed this Pandoro Bakery. This bakery also been recommended by writer that worked in New Zealand for 2 years. So we gave it a try. No regret. 

La Cigale

69 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland

Market & shop operating hr: Sat - 8am to 1.30pm, Sun - 9am to 1.30pm

Cafe operating hr: Weekday - 9am to 4pm, Weekend - follow market

Dove-Myer Robinson Park

85-87 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland

Pandoro

427 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland

Mon to Sat - 7am to 5.30pm, Sun - 7am to 4.30pm

The White Lady Food Truck

Third day after touched down Auckland, we visited Auckland CBD. Besides sightseeing the town, also I was excited to wait for dinner from the famous food truck - The White Lady. Through the tv, I know State (USA) has such food trucks every where. But it is not common in Singapore. Visited this food truck it was a totally new experience for me. 

The White Lady has been in business since 1948. So we tasted the burger recipe that since 50s. Waw, amazing! Besides burgers, they also serve toasted sandwiches and milkshakes. 

The Burger really huge for Asian's appetite (I mean for me and wife). They used real beef steak which is not common in Singapore. If you love Carl's Junior burgers like me, you will gonna love this burger.  

The photos show how the truck evolved over the years.

The Menu

Below photos taken on day time during our sightseeing.

The Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal

Wife liked here, the DFS duty free store at Auckland downtown.

Back in 19th century, it was Auckland Customhouse.

Address:

The White Lady

Corner Commerce Street & Fort Street

Auckland, New Zealand 1071

DFS Auckland

Customs Street and Albert Street, Auckland City 1010

  

   

Waiheke Island, Island of Wine

A trip to a city, down town definitely we will have to visit. Nearby suburb is another place to visit. I got a book from library prior to the trip. The writer was in New Zealand for 2 years with working holiday visa. She gave a insight view of New Zealand. Waiheke Island was a place that highly recommended by her in the book. Well, I and wife decided to check this out.

Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, about 17.7 km from Auckland. It was rated the fifth best destination in the world to visit in 2016 by Lonely Planet. It has become known as New Zealand's "Island of Wine," home to a dedicated group of winegrowers who have successfully produce red and white wines with distinctive varietal character.

 Devonport

We made a booking with Fullers, a ferry operator and tour company for Waiheke Island. Fullers

We selected Taste of Waiheke tour, a day of wine tastings at 3 vineyards and an olive grove. The package includes 2 ways ferry ticket and a light lunch at Stonyridge vineyard. Ferry is departed from Devonport. It cost us NZD140 per person.

Auckland

Waiheke Island

This is the bus for our tour. The driver cum tour guide is friendly and humorous.

Stonyridge Vineyard

First stop we at Stonyridge vineyard. We tasted red and white wines followed by a light lunch. Second stop was olive grove - Rangihoua Estate. We tasted their award winning olive oils. Next was Wild on Waiheke vineyard. Besides wines, they served us various beers too. Personally I like their cider beer, nice. 

Cheers

Our light lunch - quiche and salad. Of course, with wines.

Award winning olive oils @ Rangihoua Estate.

The olive tree.

The tour finished with wine tastings at the beautiful Mudbrick vineyard with spectacular views of the Haoraki Gulf.

Mudbrick Vineyard

Often spotted helicopters in the island. According to tour guide, these are the transport used by the rich.

Waiheke Island