world famous for its wind....and when I say wind I mean tear the skin from your face, full blown gale force winds.
Once disembarked from the ferry we located the only urban camp ground i've ever come across. to describe it as a camping ground is generous, its basically a glorified car park with a portacabin containing a shower and toilet - but hey how many capital city centres around the world are there that support pitching up in a campervan??
We nipped out for nachos and burritos at one of the lonely planets recommendations - cracking guidebooks by the way, literally a long lost best friend when your searching for things to do, places to sleep or somewhere to chow down. Opposite the restaurant we spotted the Cinema where the hobbit will premier in a months time and where the lords of the rings premiers took place. We entered inside and there are some fantastic snaps of the stars coming down the red carpet. Embassy cinema itself is breathtaking. It's was restored about 15 years ago and has a double winding staircase up to the first floor which has an open atrium to look back down into the main lobby. We wandered around for a bit impersonating all the actors from the films imagining what it would be like to be involved.
The next morning we headed out to the airport to collect Neil who had flown up to spend a few days exploring the city with us. First stop on our city tour was the legendary Drexels breakfast restaurant who only recently opened their second branch in Wellington. In our house the lady who came up with the idea is considered a higher power than any god. Her awesomeness knows no bounds and she has created something in Drexels which satisfies every animalistic instinct when tummies begin to rumble. The saying "eyes bigger than belly" is one that I remember fondly from my childhood. Well if my eyes were bigger than my belly when I settle in at a Drexels table they would be the size of the moon.
Suitably stuffed with perfect poached eggs, crispy bacon, succulent sausages and golden hash browns our day of cultural pursuits began. We started at the Te Papa museum, the home of all that is kiwi. The skeleton of a baby blue whale hangs from the ceiling and a miniature house has been built on hydroponics which simulates the effects of an earthquake - what more could you want!!
After lunch we popped over the other side of town to get down to business and storm parliament. We we're only expecting to walk around the building but when we arrived we found we could go up to the public gallery and watch the house debate. Unfortunately we got there just 5 minutes after prime minister John Keys was in action deflecting off questions from the house. Even so it was pretty awesome to hear the various parties in action, particularly the banter that they shout at each other across the the hall.
Day 2 in windy wellington started at Old st.Pauls, a timber framed church in the city Center that has been restored in a 10 year plan using a team of highly skilled carpenters. The inside was simply stunning. My experience of churches involves mostly stone columns and carvings, however to see one totally made out of wood was very impressive.
We jumped on the city's cable car which runs up to the top of the city, and then worked our way back down through the botanical gardens. Whilst beautiful it does contain what will go down in the Nay and Dean guidebook as the most disappointing and ill described treehouse in the world so far. It's not even attached to a tree and its not a house it's a visitor centre. We did however spot and interesting new sculpture installation hiding round the corner...
I wouldn't be right to spend time in Wellywood and not see a movie, and so we caught a film in the evening - Looper starring Bruce Willis. Clever script and possible one of the most scary assed little kids I've ever seen in a film. I have this weird thing were I'm uncomfortable ordering the same dish as anyone else I'm eating with. After the film we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the food court. Neil and I decided on an Indian and as we approached the counter I thought to myself "I'll have my usual lamb rogan josh". Neil went first and ordered...the lamb rogan josh...bugger. Now I have to think on my feet...the first thing I lay my eyes on is the Beef Vindaloo. "It's very hot, are you sure?" says the Indian server behind the counter, clearly laughing inside at the prospect of a white man in pain. "Yeah, no problem" I reply...big mistake. Essentially all you need to know now is that the curry was way too hot and I would have probably died right there in the food court if it hadn't of been for the McDonald's next door which supplies life saving ice cream Sundays for prats like me.
Mount Victoria delivers a panoramic viewpoint of the city and harbour and is well worth the trek up (even if you drive up like we did). it also had some information at the top stating that due to its location and exposure to the sea wellington has over over 170 days a year where the wind reaches more than 60 kmph. Incredible.
We packed neil off to return to Christchurch and headed out of Wellington. A really interesting few days that will be remembered for some good nosh, non stop gales and an expensive parking system purposely designed to entrap you into you thinking you've found a bargain only to be slammed by a small parking attendant on the way out for lots and lots more money because you didn't read the small print...
It's good to be back on the road again.
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