The Wellington Quickie....
Family business completed, time to get orientated with the big city. Suburban Wellington is spread among the hills, quite steep in places as the car meanders down towards the waterfront. On the main road into town with the harbour and jetties on the left, the historic railway station (more later) on the right and ahead, a plethora of glass and steel towers reflecting the afternoons bright sunshine - just like any modern city, Wellington has its fair share of skyscrapers. Its pretty quiet on the roads, surprising since its a major shopping centre, and its a Saturday.
$3 NZD per hour to park by the waterfront, that's the Saturday price, weekday parking is priced significantly higher around here. My hosts are taking me on a quick tour of the waterfront, an hour anyway since that's the ticket we got from the machine. A fresh autumnal breeze tempers the heat slightly along the picturesque city waterfront. we're walking back towards the station, with significant landmarks being pointed out. Museums a plenty, the library for free Wifi, Te Papa - an interactive museum, infact a host of things for tourists, all located around the waterfront and harbour area. Boat racing this afternoon, and later this evening, an Asian night market, could be interesting, but with the hours parking almost expired better head back. Wellington is a relatively compact city, plenty of colonial evidence still exists in the architecture of buildings, street names and the occasional memorial, all there to be explored later.
Next, Mount Victoria as my hosts try to figure out the way up to the view point, a spot they hadn't been to for a few years. Towards Oriental Bay then up some small, windy residential streets. gaining some considerable altitude, looking down on the harbour below. Still further to go, better views I am told. Rolling up to a plateau and a 360 degree view of Wellington City and the surrounds, and the Airport! A Deep blue sea with an equally deep blue sky contrasts with the bright reflections of city skyscraper, rolling hills and distant mountains - just awesome! Oh, and a good view of the cricket - England playing the Kiwi's at the Basin.
Time to head down to lower levels, some warmth and a coffee. Driving away from the city and towards the eastern suburbs, its pretty easy to find a parking spot, free and unlimited time. Its in the suburbs where reasonably priced eating and drinking can be found - sandwich and a coffee is about 4 quid and that's reasonable for New Zealand. Continuing our journey around the coast road, glancing back as the city skyline slips behind a hill. Its a jagged rocky coastline, makes good photos with the contrasting colours. Lyal Bay, the last suburb before having to turn back inland and towards the city once again. A picturesque spot but with added interest. Its right next to the airport, so of course a few souvenir photos of the national airlines planes.
Looks like we're stopping at the Asian Market. Yes, should be an entertaining hour or two as the lion and dragon costumes are pulled onto the performers. Plenty of good food, no Western gunk insight, but of course its not Asian prices!
Family business completed, time to get orientated with the big city. Suburban Wellington is spread among the hills, quite steep in places as the car meanders down towards the waterfront. On the main road into town with the harbour and jetties on the left, the historic railway station (more later) on the right and ahead, a plethora of glass and steel towers reflecting the afternoons bright sunshine - just like any modern city, Wellington has its fair share of skyscrapers. Its pretty quiet on the roads, surprising since its a major shopping centre, and its a Saturday.
$3 NZD per hour to park by the waterfront, that's the Saturday price, weekday parking is priced significantly higher around here. My hosts are taking me on a quick tour of the waterfront, an hour anyway since that's the ticket we got from the machine. A fresh autumnal breeze tempers the heat slightly along the picturesque city waterfront. we're walking back towards the station, with significant landmarks being pointed out. Museums a plenty, the library for free Wifi, Te Papa - an interactive museum, infact a host of things for tourists, all located around the waterfront and harbour area. Boat racing this afternoon, and later this evening, an Asian night market, could be interesting, but with the hours parking almost expired better head back. Wellington is a relatively compact city, plenty of colonial evidence still exists in the architecture of buildings, street names and the occasional memorial, all there to be explored later.
Next, Mount Victoria as my hosts try to figure out the way up to the view point, a spot they hadn't been to for a few years. Towards Oriental Bay then up some small, windy residential streets. gaining some considerable altitude, looking down on the harbour below. Still further to go, better views I am told. Rolling up to a plateau and a 360 degree view of Wellington City and the surrounds, and the Airport! A Deep blue sea with an equally deep blue sky contrasts with the bright reflections of city skyscraper, rolling hills and distant mountains - just awesome! Oh, and a good view of the cricket - England playing the Kiwi's at the Basin.
Time to head down to lower levels, some warmth and a coffee. Driving away from the city and towards the eastern suburbs, its pretty easy to find a parking spot, free and unlimited time. Its in the suburbs where reasonably priced eating and drinking can be found - sandwich and a coffee is about 4 quid and that's reasonable for New Zealand. Continuing our journey around the coast road, glancing back as the city skyline slips behind a hill. Its a jagged rocky coastline, makes good photos with the contrasting colours. Lyal Bay, the last suburb before having to turn back inland and towards the city once again. A picturesque spot but with added interest. Its right next to the airport, so of course a few souvenir photos of the national airlines planes.
Looks like we're stopping at the Asian Market. Yes, should be an entertaining hour or two as the lion and dragon costumes are pulled onto the performers. Plenty of good food, no Western gunk insight, but of course its not Asian prices!
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