Mercure Hotel Willis Street Wellington

Nothing much happened today but a bunch of driving. We made it to Wellington around 5. Great bus driver, had lots of fun on the bus. Brief stop at midday to see the snow capped volcanoes. Had an hour to see the national museum here in Wellington. The giant squid specimen is definitely the highlight. YHA ...

... There was not much to do just sell tickets for the BBQ one night and help cook the food the next. Helped out with a quiz and organise pool cometitions. I had a great time in Welly. <br><br>I went on a Lord of the Rings tour, which to be honest wasnt that great. Went to Minis Tirith and Helms Deep, but it was now just a quarry. Other parks and forests where Rivendell was filmed but there was just a guy showing us clips on his laptop, and showing us the trees ...

... of volcanic eruptions. There was also a large section devoted to local animals and plants. There were Kiwi birds and even a life size replica of a Moa. The Moa was a huge bird indigenous to New Zealand which became extinct after the Maoris hunted and killed them all for food since there were not many animals/mammals in New Zealand before the white people brought cows, sheep etc. There was also a preserved ...

... we need it. In the end they decided that the problem was fixable after all and sorted. Praise God. Then we when we got home, I flipping lost the travel card. But don't worry it's nice and clean now after a heavy wash in the washing machine. Man I'm going to miss lil old Wellytown. Now you be good!!!!See ya in Bangkok.

... had a band playing who were excellent and apart from that, the dancers kept us entertained, including one aging american who hadn't fathomed out the anti-red eye on his camera, resulting in numerous pictures of the floor.. Sunday 15th February Nelson Up late and out for a drive to Abel Tasman national Park, going through Motueka and Kaiteriteri under a beautiful blue sky with the sea an iridescent shade of green. Some of the mud flats were covered in writing and pictures, all made out ...

... Incidentally, the ferry we were on used to be a cross-channel ferry and Stuart seemed very confused about how they managed to sail it across here (and bored Rachel senseless by talking about it all day!)... We were lucky enough to have Stef and Jarrod here (also met at Annabel's wedding) who had generously offered to have us stay at theirs for 2 nights - Kiwis are amazing hosts! They were also very welcoming ...

... the night and be out and about during the day. They really are the most odd looking animals; perhaps the best mascot for their nation! Next was a trip to see the shearing of Angora Rabbits, whose fur is mixed with Murino wool to make clothes. It is not as silly as it sounds, however the process most certainly is. They put the rabbit into a miniature rack so that it can't wriggle around, then they shear it with the same clippers they use on sheep ...