Random follow #201 - @VisitWaiheke

Auckland is located on an isthmus.  This means that there are two large water expanses on either side and the city itself is located on and around that very narrow strip of land.  The two expanses of water on either side of the city are two harbours.  One harbour is smaller and has its entry/exit point heading towards Australia.  The other harbour is a huge body of water that has many, many islands and other features about it that make it.  One of those islands is the beautiful island of Waiheke.

Personally I have only actually ever been there once and that was over 20 years ago.  From what I understand it is a mixture of playground for the rich and famous mixed with the original culture of creative types and the quintessential hippy personalities.

So it pleases me greatly to see that this little island paradise has its own twitter account.  If you are looking for a quick and quiet get away for a weekend then @VisitWaiheke is the ideal starting point for ideas about accommodation, food and things to do while you are there.

Whats neat about this account is that it isn't strictly a sales account.  Instead it is an insiders view to life on the island.  Photo's of beautiful beaches and boats, ferries and fish.  House boats abound on Waiheke giving a whole new meaning to the term 'mobile population'.  When home owners tire of the view they simple sail away, around the corner and to a new location.  Sounds like magic to me.

Waiheke is also an island of artistic talent and culinary magic as well.  The climate on the island is such that they are able to grow grapes which are then turned into classic and limited edition selections of wine.  Couple that wine with an abundance of fresh seafood and you have a connoisseurs paradise.

So what can you expect from the rest of their tweets?  Well they RT local businesses and points of interest about the island.  They also RT other tourism accounts when they have something to say.  And then there are the photos.  I really love following an account that posts photos of the beach.  (Because where I live is land locked so seeing the beach is something of a treat for me).

If your timeline is wanting a bit of a refresh and you're looking to combine photo's and stories from an exotic location with some ideas about how to get there and where to stay then @VisitWaiheke is the account for you.

Random follow #195 - @michaelgregg

Wine.  Its one of the most talked about topics and subject in social media.  Many people enjoy the quality of it, the pursuit of a good drop and the enjoyment that a bottle shared with others brings both to the senses as well as to the spirit.

@michaelgregg is someone who knows A LOT about wine.  A lot as in the entire lifecycle, process and methods by which wine is made.  Being a vintner for Harvest Estate he has a first hand knowledge and perspective on what the qualities are that make a really good wine.  Being involved, literally, at a grass roots level of production gives him a knowledge that few others may have.

Harvest Estate is located in the beautiful district of Martinborough.  It is a land space that is flat, warm and picturesque area of land that has been found to be ideally suited to the growth of grapes.  The homes are lovely, the roads flat and fast and the climate amazing.

So why would you want to follow someone on twitter whose job is to make wine?  I think the more apt question is - why wouldn't you?  Seriously.  Here's what you'll get from @michaelgregg the tweeter - 

The culinary whizz - "Kiwi Pinot Noir for dinner, now to choose some food groups to go with it #dinnerishealthierifyoudontchoosemeatfirst"

The humorist - "At least people are learning to spell Cook Strait correctly ... #brightside @eqnz"

The outdoorsman - "Ooooo ... scallop season opened in Marlborough Sounds today. They'll need some fattening up. I'll check the dive bottles are full anyway!"

Like a good bottle of wine there are many different flavors that will cross your twitter palate with Michael.  He brings a range of tweets, subjects and RTs that both appeal to the sweeter amongst us as well as the more savoury topics that many if us relish.

Michael is a really great tweeter in that he balances his personal account and likes with his passion for growing great grapes and turning out award winning wines.  Harvest Estates also have a social media presence on Facebook if you want to head over and hit the like button.  But this post is all about singing the praises of someone whose career and passion it is to produce fine wine's that the rest of us can savour and enjoy when we are looking for a special moment.