Quest on Johnston Wellington

... they couldn't even find where we were lurking. I don't think Mari and I will quit our day jobs for undercover work anytime soon though.

Yesterday was a very busy day for all of us. We got up early in the morning and went kayaking out in the ocean harbour. It was beautiful--no wind--at the start of our voyage, but about half way through, the wind picked up and we really had to work hard to get back to where we started ...

... so we can have a wander around and get some lunch. The train station is right near the ''beehive'" - NZ parliment buildings. Walking along looking at the shops we found the i-site and pop in to see what we can do in the city. We wanted to take the cable car up the mountain but it was closed for maintance so instead we went to the Te Papa Museum. Had a walk along the harbour and found some lunch in a ...

... first to be scientifically examined. The quarter-ton squid itself is the centrepiece in all it's embalmed glory, and frankly it's all very icky. Finally, outside there is an entire forest planted, with walkways through the trees and plants and even a series of limestone caves underneath.

Anyway, have to close this now as we have to pack everything away again ready to throw them in the car in the the morning - the ferry sails at 8.30am and we have to report an hour in advance!

Good Morning!!

Just a quick note, I'm back from my weekend and feeling disorganized, so I'm not quite ready for a real post. But don't worry, I have plenty of stories and good pictures to share!

I'll get on that little later on today...

... what was "-1" and then had a light bulb moment.. of course I arrive the day before I leave - just call me time traveller Pollock, the rain maker 09 has been usurped.

Rarotonga

As I write this, I am now sitting drinking a beer, in a little bungalow that I have rented for £25 a night, with its own kitchen, deck, bathroom and all important washing machine and views of palm fronds and trees bursting with coconuts and if I crane my neck I ...

... was on my first bus and I hadn't seen her since Raglan, was great to catch up with her actually!) and get the greatest view of Wellington (there was no way I would be staying in bed and not seeing any of Wellington!!.. I'll have time to slow down in Abel Tasman ...). It's well worth going up there - only 30 min walk up the hill and you can see the whole of Wellington. I also get to see the Ferry to the South Island fighting its way through massive waves ...

Day 47 Tuesday 17th Feb - Wellington Had a bit of a sleep in this morning as we didn't need to be up for anything particular so took advantage of it. We got up around 9.30 with the exception of Kelly who got up about 6.30am as she's an early riser. Kelly made us all a full English breakfast to start off the day with a full belly. After we'd eaten we went for a walk up to the top of Mount Victoria where they shot scenes from Lord of the Rings ...

... die Kulissen von WETA Studio erlaubt . Ausserdem gibt es hier ein Minimuseum und ein paar Sachen zu LOTR zu kaufen. Wirklich sehr nett gemacht. Weiter geht es zum Steinbruch wo Minas Tirith und Helms Deep gedreht wurde, zu sehen ist hier gar nichts mehr. Peter Jackson hat den Steinbruch fuer ein Jahr gemietet und in dieser kurzen Zeit wurden hier die enormen Kulissen von Helms Deep und Minas Tirith auf und abgebaut und alles gedreht. Naechster Drehort ist Rivendell. Auch ...

... its good to know that the weather is not always like that! Anywho back to today, so yeah I looked around Wellington properly, I took the cable car up to the top of the hill and took in the view, then walked back down through the botanical gardens - they were OK I guess but as it is winter not a whole lot is in bloom, there is a pretty cool sculpture trail though. I also got some photos developed from Auckland to Taupo - they are ...