When I woke up this morning it was nice weather, which means the flight was definitely going to leave today after all! Last minute packing done, I was already to leave. Christine took me to the airport and I had a bit of a wait before I could check-in. The flight was packed and I didn’t get a window seat, which was a shame as you could see the whole island as we left.
After my nap on the plane, we soon arrived in to Wellington and it was clear blue skies and no wind! I had a bit of a wait once I collected my bags, before my dad arrived. We took the airport bus in to town (cost $8.50 each) and then caught the number 7 towards our motel.
Once we lugged our suitcases up the hill, we arrived at the Carillon Motel Inn (apparently like Faulty Towers). The chap that runs the place was an interesting/weird chap who yapped for ages, although he was quite funny. He talked of his trucking days in Cornwall delivering fridges and freezers, always seeming to involve being pissed. It felt like we had escaped once he finally let us go to our room! His final words before leaving us in our room were, “if you have a party, that’s cool, as long as I’m invited”.
After dropping our bags off and a quick freshen up, we decided to go up the cable cars as it was such nice weather. Phillip did show us a good shortcut in to town though, which was helpful. Wellington has two universities, so a high proportion of younger adults, which was noticeable. The weather was hot and sunny the entire evening. We took a leisurely walk to the cable car through the city centre. The cable car was only $2 each and the view from the top was pretty cool, especially as it was such nice weather. I’ve got some nice photos of views from the top and the botanical garden. We are quite close to where they filmed the talking trees in Lord of the Rings and some parts of King Kong. They are also now filming the Hobbit in the same hills.
We walked back in to the centre of town, alongside the Parliament buildings and sea front, looking for somewhere to eat. We ended up in Burgerfuel, on Cuba Street. Burgerfuel was amazing; the value for money was brilliant. It beat MacDonald’s hands down in terms of portion size, price and taste. They also had cool signs and friendly staff.
Tuesday 3rd April 2012
This morning we left the motel about 8:45 and found a bakery on the way to where we wanted to go. I had a freshly cooked “bacon bread”, which was amazing. We carried on, past Courtenay Place (where the big films are premiered – e.g Lord of the Rings) up to where some of the LOTR was filmed. We weren’t entirely sure which route was where they filmed, but I can say we were there. Anyway, this was all on the ascent to Mount Victoria, with arguably the best view of the Capital!
At the end of the walk, we ended up at Oriental Bay/Parade and the weather was lovely. We bought some drinks and had a cheeky sunbathe overlooking the beach/harbour. We walked a bit further, before getting a bus back in to town. We got an unlimited day bus ticket for $9.50 each and they have “snapper cards” (identical to oyster cards from what I can work out). I even got sunburnt on my arms, what an achievement!
On arrival back in to town we decided to stop for lunch and trusted Subway (didn’t disappoint). As it was so hot still after lunch, we went home to change in to our shorts and have a bit of a rest!
When we were finally ready to set off again, it had gone overcast and the wind had picked up. We risked the shorts anyway, but did take our jumpers. The bus ride to Island Bay took about twenty minutes and the bus was packed at the beginning of the journey. The weather was still nice when we arrived and I managed to get some decent photos before the weather turned to sh*t. There was also a man planting a geocache at Island Bay, but I didn't go over.
We took the bus back to Wellington and it started to drizzle as we returned. We walked over to the Te Papa museum, which was pretty big. We probably didn’t have enough time there, although we saw a fair bit. It is apparently the only place that has a colossal squid on show. I think it was the one that was on the C4 documentary: Nature’s Giants. Following that we walked towards home, stopping at “Heaven” for tea. It was a stone baked pizza, which was really tasty! We were asked if we wanted inside or outside, we opted for outside due to the hot evening. Outside was sheltered, with a wood fire and candle-lit tables. One would think it were quite the romantic setting, until realising you're there with your dad!
We took the bus back to Wellington and it started to drizzle as we returned. We walked over to the Te Papa museum, which was pretty big. We probably didn’t have enough time there, although we saw a fair bit. It is apparently the only place that has a colossal squid on show. I think it was the one that was on the C4 documentary: Nature’s Giants. Following that we walked towards home, stopping at “Heaven” for tea. It was a stone baked pizza, which was really tasty! We were asked if we wanted inside or outside, we opted for outside due to the hot evening. Outside was sheltered, with a wood fire and candle-lit tables. One would think it were quite the romantic setting, until realising you're there with your dad!
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| View of the Capital from the top of the Cable Car |
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| Wellington Town Hall |
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| The view of Wellington Harbour from the top of Mt. Victoria |
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| Weird architecture, with interesting light |
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