Windy Wellington

After a pretty quick turnaround after my trips to Picton, Nelson and Wanaka, it was time to pack a couple of essentials for 2 days and an evening in Wellington. It has certainly been over 35 years since I was there! I didn't remember it at all. 

Arriving early I had a chance to meander around before meeting up with Bruce and Alison again.

Just down from the appartment was The Beehive, our parliament building. It is such a great shape, and I loved the name of its neighbouring street! I just had to walk down it! 

Next to the appartment was also this amazing old church, 150 years old, Old St Paul's Church,  a survivor because it is entirely wooden. It is no longer used for services sadly, as they have built a rather ugly new cathedral nearby which is used instead. Madness!

Wellington is well known for its wharf area, where old boat sheds have been transformed into up- market restaurants and bars or boutique stores. It is very attractive, though with a very cold wind, it was hard to appreciate the beauty.

The playground is quite unique too.

Here, the higgledy- piggledy Wellington skyline.

I am sorry Wellingtonians, but I cannot say I was particularly impressed by the very haphazard range of architecture in the CBD area. On a warm sunny day it definitely looks better!
The main reason for my visit was to attend the WOW show, the World of Wearable Arts show. This had been top of my bucket list for quite a while and it certainly did not disappoint! It was remarkable. 

Outside the arena was a taste of things to come, a beautiful dress made from plastic milk bottles! Stunning.


A most appropriate name, WOW, because this word was much used in the coming hours!

After a delicious meal at a local restaurant, it was time for the show, which is a mixture of models gracefully showing off the many different categories of clothes, all moves beautifully choreographed and set to lovely music and unbelievable lighting effects, and fantastic acrobatics by members of the Cirque Soleil. I was pleased I had my binoculars because although the seat was good, we could not always see what the clothes being modelled were made of. 

What a great day, exhausting too after so much walking in the chilly, blustery wind.

The next day the weather was quite different, fortunately! It was virtually windstill, with warm temperatures. Very pleasant indeed.

After a large brunch, we spent a long time at the National museum of Te Papa. It was my first ever visit and although I was impressed, I have to say I prefer Canterbury Museum. Maybe I am biased?

It was then time to see Alison and Bruce off to the airport before spending several hours enjoying the sun and the beach area of Wellington, Oriental Bay.

 Amazing to see people sunbathing, swimming and picnicking only hours after we had been walking with several layers of merino, hats and scarves on! 

I watched a plane flying out - perhaps with my friends on it?

Oriental Bay is a really lovely area and the older wooden houses there are fantastic, built into the hillside with their attractive verandahs offering maevelous views of the bay.

As I returned to the city and passed this statue, , I could not resist this poem - oh so true!

Time to leave and head home. I will be back home for a while. I have certainly enjoyed all my little trips though. What a brilliant country to live in!