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| Waihoihoi Lodge is proud to be a member of:
Women Travel New Zealand - an extensive network of women's tours and places to stay and other local information |
We want you to come again -
10% discount for
return visits! |
WWOOFING
Are you interested in wwoofing/work exchange?
[more] |
GROUP BOOKING
Book the whole complex for
tour groups
garden groups
mountain bikers
trampers
singers
friends
[more]
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It's been almost 2 years since we stayed with you two, but I still look back on those couple of days with a great fondness. Even as I begin planting my first garden here in Florida, I think of your magnificent gardens with your bird friends always visiting. And your view--I think of that gorgeous view! Wow. I see that you are as busy as ever with these upcoming events. I will start saving my pennies to come and visit again. J, Florida
I finally returned home in Tokyo after spending some days in Singapore. Now I am back to work again. I feel it was really unfortunate I had no choice but staying there only 1 night due to the changes in my travel plan.I truly wish I could have stayed there longer and really wanted to spend more time just relaxing. I hope it would happen soon again!
In the meantime, please take good care, and I truly appreciate your hospitality. (Not only the view from the accommodation was fantastic, the whole atmosphere which the studio has was quite comfortable, spacious yet cozy to relax. I think it's one of the best space and view to relax I have ever experienced. It would be wonderful if I could have cooked in that lovely kitchen facilities. K, Japan
What can I say other than a huge thank you for a wonderful time at Waihoihoi. Everything was just perfect, and we all had a memorable time. Take care and it was wonderful - you are both perfect hosts. B Family, Auckland
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Rhian Lock,11 yrs old from Wales, UK
Wwoofer April 2008
Freddy the Quad Bike meets you at the door,
Rosemary and Danielle give you a tour.
The chickens in the garden are laying the eggs,
The washing of guests are hanging on pegs.
Fejoas are growing on many fruit trees,
The pathway to the house is covered with leaves.
Hilde and Luna will greet you with a friendly growl,
Fantail birds in the garden are having a prowl.
The house is welcoming and warm to guests,
The house has mouse traps as they are great pests.
Worms are lurking in the garbage bins,
The Wwoofers are putting chutney in tins.
The balcony is located on the second floor,
You can guarantee gardening is a chore.
The guest rooms all have unique names,
The dining room has a great view through huge window panes.
Theres paintings and statues dotted around the home,
Rosemary is talking to a guest through the phone.
Danielle is listening to Hildegard von Bignen,
But you can hear shes sneakily singing.
Ceri is talking to one of the guests,
Two wwoofers are playing a game of chess.
Luna is gobbling up all of her food,
Hilde is sniffing the bone she has chewed.
The garden has silver beet and plants galore,
The chickens are fighting over an apple core.
At the end of the week you will be relaxed and satisfied,
Except for when you give Freddy a ride!!!
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Thank you for an absolutely wonderful weekend! The buildings, the view, the garden, the food, and your hospitality were all above and beyond anything we could have imagined. You have really created your dream - what an inspiration, and a joy to partake in.
We certainly hope to come back, but until then we'll remember the sunlight on the hills and the sea, all the plants, the sheer amounts of space inside, the beautiful attention to detail, cheese and nibbles by the fireplace, delicious paella and salad, great conversation, the milky way, the most gorgeous breakfast ever, and on and on. (And, of course, it was great to relax in the bathtub... ;)
We had an incredible time horseback riding with Paul as well. Thank you for the recommendation. The weather could not have been better- gleaming white sand, ocean spray, purple islands, and sunlight warm enough to take the chill off the winter breeze. (Paul is a great guy, and seems to have a very high opinion of you as well!)
Thank you again for a fantastic weekend. We wish you a wonderful year full of love, happiness, sunlight, and laughter - and of course strength, healing, and good health. D&L, Hawaii/Australia/Auckland |
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...Just reporting back on a most successful trip back to Auckland.
- we had delightful elevenses at Naja, after enjoying your beautiful local beaches
-a good squirrel in 'squashed pipi', and would have loved to buy half the shop, but space wouldn't allow (nor would bernard, actually!!)
- the best lunch in long time at Bees on Line
- and best of all, the wonderful gannets' colony, which was a glorious way to finish our holiday!
The 'pretty' road was easy, and we arrived reasonably unscathed early evening, which was just right.
So glad we found your fantastic retreat - will make sure we spread the word!
Thanks again J & B, England |
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Staying at Waihoihoi was an absolute treat! I felt so proud to be showing my American friend this New Zealand - a rustic, rural, wildish place with rolling countryside, wide ocean, breath-taking views. The Lodge was a glorious haven: restful, wonderful food and conversation, good travel advice, with some extra little kindnesses, like a posh packed picnic lunch the day we left. I recommend staying a few days and letting the timeless-ness seep in. K, Auckland |
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This was one of my first trips in many years being a single female traveler and I was a bit anxious about it, but when I arrived at Waihoihoi Lodge I knew I had come to the right place. The food, hospitality, and location were superb. But what will always stay with me is the spirit of the place and the kindness of Rosemary and Ngaire. Thanks for letting me have my say. Barbara P.S. Love the new pictures on the website. |
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Staying at Waihoihoi Lodge as one of my first stops in Aotearoa/New Zealand was wonderful and meeting you two was great. And of course Hildegard! You both truly inspired me to live my dreams. I'm sure to return some time soon. Thank you very much Rosemary for your travel tips which led me to the most wonderful places in your country. Lots of love, Tina from London (actually originally from Austria) |
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What can I say, this was totally unexpected - this hospitality, engagement, sense of community, M, California |
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A dream come true for you and for us!! Thank you for the warm welcome and the precious hints. E&Y Switzerland |
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Fabulous hosts, great company, stunning views, we'll be back! C, Auckland |
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Superlatives escape me, your hospitality was the highlight of my trip. A, Western Australia |
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You two have started something truly amazing, and I can say with confidence that it is one of the most sane and serene places I have ever been. I wish nothing but the best for both of you (and of course the dog too!).
There is something incredibly special about Waihoihoi Lodge (not just the 4x4, power drills, and amazing food) Its the people and the energy that you two exude. Wwoofing here has been a great pleasure and experience that I will remember with great nostalgia. Thank you so much. D, New York |
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This is a wonderful place to relax and refresh in magnificent surroundings. I particulary appreciated the special rate for solo travellers. M, Auckland |
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Cool and sultry breezes as the trees and flax whisper... summer weed clearing, mulching and connecting with guests.. I feel grateful to have become a part of Rosemary, Ngaire and Hildegard's family this week. What a blessing and a sacred gift. L, Oregon. |
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House and garden sensitively created to maximise the enjoyment of the natural creation. J, London. |
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Absolutely lovely! We are envious of this fabulous life and place. Thanks for sharing it with us, we will be back. J&M, Canada |
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I think your place is really lovely and has the right balance of hedonistic luxury and informality, sophistication and charm, for a splendid holiday. The rooms are marvellous, the bed legendry, and the food a pleasure. There is more to do that we had time for (so would like to come again). Nothing was missing. So, many, many thanks. S, Wellington |
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We came away from your lodge on Monday on a real high, and we're still glowing from the experience. We so admire the imagination that has gone into the design and the furnishings.... Lovely, lovely, lovely..... Thank you for sharing many tips with us - you're so generous. We've already told other women that they HAVE to go up and stay with you, to see your place, and we'll keep promoting you. J&J Kapiti Coast |
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Many thanks for your warm hospitality. Highlights of our stay at Waihoihoi Lodge were the spectacular views over land and ocean, sitting in comfy chairs around your magnificent fireplace, our elegant and spacious bedroom, and the luscious french-toast-and-fresh-fruit brunch on the lawn. Your place offers a unique experience in the women's homestay world, and it is a great asset, especially for families, groups of friends or business colleagues to gather. T&C Awhitu |
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serendipity n. the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. From the moment we arrived at Waihoihoi Lodge we knew we were in for a special time. Not only are the views spectacular and the interior decor superb, but the welcome from our hosts, Rosemary and Ngaire, was among the warmest we have ever experienced. So was the fire! The bedrooms are spacious, comfortable and clean. The bathrooms are works of art. The food is scrumptious with plenty of options for those with special dietary requirements. Needless to say, we will return. H&C Auckland |
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My Shitty Day
a day in the life of a wwoofer*
by Rachel
So, we are new women after today. No more manicured nails, no more moussed hair, we no longer have clean skin. You know those expressions 'a load of shit' or 'holy shit' or 'shitbuckets'? Well, let us tell you, we now know exactly how much a load entails, what shitbuckets look like, and let us be clear, there is absolutely NOTHING holy about it. Today Margaret and I shovelled 176 gallons of horse shit. Literally.
The best part: that's 176 gallons loaded and unloaded THREE times. That's 528 gallons of pure, unadulterated, fly-loving, worm-loving, odoriferous shit. 528 milk cartons of dookie, turd, poop, logs, cocka, funky crap. We spent two hours in front of 4 x 44 gallon metal drums (like up to my chest) in which we shovelled from a nearby horse farm into the truck (in the sun of course) and then drove back to the organic garden (you know, gotta have the best compost possible) where we unloaded it into a trailer and then unloaded it AGAIN around the different veggie gardens, subtropicals, herbs, you get the picture. we're new women....and that's no load of shit.
So we are at the Waihoihoi Women's Lodge for a weeks wwoofing - check it out! and it's breathtakingly beautiful with an entire glass wall overlooking the green hills and valleys and the ocean right out front. we spent the morning hiking along the ocean and then laid out on the beach and wrote in our journals about how beautiful it was (that was BEFORE we had to work today!) we are here until Sunday, and then we're going to go the very top of the island, known as 'Cape Reinga' where the Pacific Ocean and the Abel Tasman Sea come together to create some amazing surf along '90 mile beach'---we're going to take a bus tour up the peninsula coast, as it is too dangerous to drive our own car.
The women here are so nice (besides making us shovel shit), Rosemary teamed up with Margaret last night and they made homemade granola and yogurt and then for lunch she made us homemade hummus and dairy-free bread. We should have email all week, but aol wasn't working for Marg just now, but time to go to bed, as we're 'pooped.' :-) Love, margs and rach
*wwoofer = willing workers on organic farms, a world wide network of people and places who exchange four hours work a day for accommodation and meals. |
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