Here are the images from our second day of vacation in New Zealand.

On board the Fullers Ferry on our way to Waiheke Island

Here are the views we saw as the Fullers ferry sailed farther away from the pier on our way to Waiheke

Another view of the pier where the ships dock in Auckland

I love this view of the skyline.

Another spectacular view of the Auckland skyline.  Simply beautiful!

This is the Island of Rangitoto.

Rangitoto is a volcanic island.  Tourists can visit this island and hike it.  Just remember, this place is totally deserted.  There are no restaurants, shops, hotels or houses here. Just hiking trails.  A staff member at the tourist office in Devonport advised us to bring our own food, water, and the like should we decide to visit it.

A partial view of Waiheke Island

Just take a closer look at the layers and layers of land that make it up.

The vegetation in the island

Upon arrival in Waiheke, a Fullers guide was already waiting for us outside the small but modern ferry terminal.  He was not just our guide but the bus driver as well.  He was an elderly blonde blue eyed KIWI gentleman with a huge built.  He was quite friendly.  The first of our stops was the island's tiny town.

It reminded me so much of San Francisco's Sausalito.  It was filled with upscale restaurants, real estate offices, handicraft stores, a couple of tourist souvenir shops, a couple of grocery stores, and houses with million dollar views of the sea.

This is our Fullers Tour Bus in Waiheke

Another feature of this island is its various vineyards.  It is clearly New Zealand's version of Northern California's Napa and Sonoma.  During our visit, we did pass by lots of vineyards all over the island.  Fullers Ferries offered another tour here with visits to local wineries with wine tastings.

Yachts and small boats docked in a cove

There is a tiny beach in this cove and it is where those who wish to sunbathe and swim in their birthday suit head to in Waiheke.

Here's the walkway down to Palm Beach, a popular beach destination for KIWIS from nearby Auckland

Palm Beach

Our second stop in the island was Makena Beach.

Some alpaca in Waiheke.  If my memory serves me right, these animals were brought over from Argentina, as per our guide.  There was a farm with a number of Alpaca.  I assume they breed them for the animals' fur.  I did go to one souvenir store in Auckland's CBD and saw an Alpaca blanket.  I had to leave it though as the price was NZ $2,300.   I think it was priced way too much.

As soon as our tour ended, we walked around the small downtown area and then we made our way to Oneroa Beach.  It was here where thousands of shells called Biscuit Shells were washed ashore.  I took some home with me to the States and these were the only souvenir items I took home with me from New Zealand.

Here's another view of Oneroa Beach

Take a look at those shells.  They were everywhere at Oneroa Beach.

Remember the white bird we saw in Makena?  Well, they were in Oneroa Beach too.  They didn't seem to be scared of people as we took this picture at a very close distance.

Next stop:  Alison Park