Heading south

Headed south from Napier to Wellington but couldn’t get a hotel in Wellington the first night due to the Wearable Arts Festival and October Fest, so spent the night at a B&B, Konini Cottage & Homestead, about an hour north of Wellington.  We stayed in the suite – it was a lovely, self-contained space with a sitting room.  The owners, Maggie and Bob were wonderful hosts, with interesting travel stories to share as well.  Bob made every bit of furniture in their home, and we both agreed that he was one fine cabinetmaker.  The home was in what we would call a suburb, but the amazing beach was a two minute walk straight out their door, and they had two of the best restaurants about a 10 minute walk away.  A great relaxing evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was down to Wellington where we dropped the car off and will pick up another when we get to the South Island.  Wellington is where we catch the ferry to cross over to Picton.  It’s a great, funky (my favourite adjective), beautiful city.  They’re known as the coffee capital of NZ, although I think they think it’s the world.  Lots of restaurants, especially on Cuba Street.  The street was named after a settler ship of the same name, not the country.  But the folks here have played on the name and many of the shops have something or other related to Cuba.  Lots of fun in and around Cuba Street.  I could live here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took Wellington’s cable car up to the top with wonderful views of the harbour and city, and then walked back down through the botanical gardens.  Gary and I love botanical gardens and this one was truly fabulous.  It was so extensive and felt like we were walking through a conservation area.  And since it’s NZ’s spring the tulips were out.   It’s cold – only 13C and it’s a VERY windy city, so back on went the layers just as we felt that we were starting to take them off.  We’re holding off buying any of the amazing NZ merino/possum blend clothing since we know we’ll be warm soon, especially when we get to certain parts of Australia.  And yes, I said possum.  Well, they have to make use of the over abundance that they have.  Wish we could do the same with our racoons (sorry, hope I didn’t offend anyone).  Here are some photos from and of the gardens; check out the serious fiddleheads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our hotel in Wellington is the Grand Mercure Apartments – our room has a mini kitchenette and sitting area with a little balcony; although it’s small at least we can have breakfast and a snack if we choose – most handy.  And free WiFi!

Wellington has a great museum with a current exhibit by Peter Jackon (director of Lord of the Rings).   Although the exhibit was very local – the wars that NZ fought and didn’t really have that much meaning for either of us, especially given our feeling on war, but it was quite impressive and I could understand why it was described as an emotional display.  There is a lot of information and many displays about the Maori people.  Lots of similarities to the native people of Canada (similar struggles and spirituality and connection with the land).  We also went to the art gallery with a great photographic exhibit by NZ artist, Fiona Pardington.  We particularly enjoyed her latest work which reminded me Rembrandt’s still lifes – have a look at the interesting objects in this painting:  citygallery.org.nz.  And the museum and gallery are FREE!  And then off to the planetarium and observatory via the cable car again.  Today was truly a cultural day.

Here are a few more pictures within the city of Wellington:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to tell how impressive the above building is from this photo but the tiles on the floor alone were extraordinary.  It’s now a shopping area with cafes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A number of cafes had bean bag chairs outside of their premises.  How comfy is that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the first day on our journey so far that the sky has been completely blue – not one cloud, hurray, hurray.  But still cool at a high of 16C.  We’ve been keeping an eye on the weather in the South Island since it usually gets cooler as you go south in the southern hemisphere, but the temperature has been in the 20’s.  Very much looking forward to that.

See you in the South Island.