Wellington, 5

Our fifth day in Welly was a busy one: Te Papa Tongarewa (the national museum), a harbor walk, the Museum of Wellington and the Sea, a nice Thai dinner.

The New Zealand Festival was underway the whole time we
were in Wellington; there was so much else to do, we didn't
go to any of its many offerings, or its Fringe Festival...next
time

The downtown harbor-front is lined with
sculpture, historic buildings

And a Writers' Walk, displaying quotes from a dozen or
more prominent New Zealand writers

We spent a day at Te Papa Tongarewa, the
national museum, back in 2008, so gave it
just half a day this time

Many modern buildings in the complex, much high tech,
coverage of natural and cultural histories, the whole thing

I always like the social history stuff; in the 50s, New Zealand
mandated free dental care for all children; and the dentist
offices, with their pedal-operated drills, were known by the
children as "the murder house"

More social history...we conjecture Vicki's dad might have
been here in 1942, since he drove a landing craft for the 1st
Marine Division at Guadalcanal that August... 

Popular 40s board game

Still more social history

Some good Maori stuff

Although I think Auckland's collection is fuller

Wellington, 4

On our fourth day Wellington showed us some of the weather for which Windy Welly is renowned...gale-force, chilly winds, rain, sometimes heavy. All day. We stayed in mostly, Vicki researching and making arrangements for future travels, me blogging a little. (I think I have finally figured out our division of labor: she does the future; I do the past). I did go out briefly...to return a defective umbrella to the Kathmandu store!

Thus, from our motel

Wellington, 3

Our third day in Wellington we did a good bit more walking and exploration and then took the cable car up to Wellington Garden, where we took in some plants, the Cable Car Museum, and the Observatory. On the way back to the motel we had a special, unexpected treat.

The cable car, really more a funicular if you ask me, but
still fun

View of the city from the Garden; the cable-way goes on
much further to some of the older, higher suburbs, and also
the university; one of the cable-car company owners was
also an original benefactor of the university...yet another
instance of doing well by doing good...

In the cable car museum

Watching a great short film on Wellington's 400 private-use
funiculars

In Wellington Garden

Aerial roots

Interesting tree and trim

The Observatory: we've seen so much of the great Southern
Sky, in ignorance, we decided we had to go to a presentation,
which was great; I no longer identify every bright star as
the Evening Star; and know approximately where and how
to look for the Southern Cross

Facilities signage for extraterrestrial alien visitors from
outer space

Among the many displays; New Zealanders have contributed
their share to astronomy, space exploration...

Art Deco on the walk home

Ditto

The treat: St. Peter's Anglicans apparently
were giving up pancakes and honey maple
syrup for Lent, so we helped ourselves to
a nice snack they offered

The Vicar undoubtedly cuts a wide swath through civic and
religious affairs in Wellington

Wellington's Embassy Cinema

Another Ringwaif must-see, Wellington's Art Deco Embassy Cinema...

Sculpture across the street

Facade

A few interior shots

Ditto

Ditto again

And again

Now playing (with half a dozen others, in the small but very
comfy little theaters (there also are a restraurant and bar/cafe
plus the usual cinematic refreshments))

Original poster, big debut, 2001

The big hall

Wellington, 2B

It certainly wasn't our busiest day ever, but it was a good day and ultimately will take five posts to recount.

At Carducci's, on Happy Valley Road

Officially it's a mini-golf course

But actually it's someone's massive outdoor iron sculpture
garden

Impressive too

"Get off the road!" Next we were on Mount Victoria,
revisiting some favorite LOTR sites

Now with signage

Where the four hobbits hid from the Black Rider

Getting eroded away by all the visitors and tours

At the foot of Mount Victoria, a typical New Zealand
playground; best we've seen, anywhere

But the day wasn't over...we got back to our room to see
that 12 Years A Slave had won Best Picture; so we went to
see it that evening at the Embassy, Wellington's great old
Art Deco cinema, where LOTR had its debut(s) (another post)

Wellington, 2A

Our second day in Wellington was a busy, very photogenic day...

Looking back to the city, from the harbor, in or near Miramar

Looking toward the harbor mouth

Stopped for lunch near the harbor mouth, another floating
hotel glides by

Penguins, even on North Island

Mustering of the Rohirrim

Really, really nice house, with its own funicular, view...

The vistas just won't stop...

Ditto

Nor do the dangers to be surmounted by
fearless Ringwaifs

Setting for the Black Gate scenes

A ferry approaches from South Island

At a great DOC exhibit we are still learning about the tides...