Chocolate and Psychopaths
Trip Start
Aug 14, 2008
1
12
20
Trip End
Sep 25, 2008
Wellington,
North Island,
New Zealand
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Got to Picton early and waited in the ferry terminal where we had the entertainment of a very sulky old man (in his 60s) having a massive tantrum with his wife and throwing his ticket on the floor! The ferry took 3.5 hours and is supposed to be a beautiful trip on a nice day... all we could see was rain and fog - and albatrosses, which are pretty amazing as they soar over the waves without even moving their enormous wings. Watched a Disney film and drank a hot chocolate and finally arrived in the third windiest city in the world.
Checked into Nomads, which has nice big rooms and very high bunk beds and went to the bar nextdoor for a free meal. It was so small however, that I had to buy second meal! It also turned out to be ladies night, and although I had intended on being good, they gave all the girls unlimited free champagne and bowls of free (Cadburys) chocolate and tapas on the bar! Wow!
Day 191 - The weather today is very grey and windy and so spent most the day at Te Papa - the national museum, learning about geographical things and NZ history, maori traditions and a collection of art, which I loved. There was also an exhibition by NZ artist Rita Angus. I had a great time pottering about and felt really excited and inspired as I tend to get in good museums!
Afterwards I had a walk around town and down Cuba street, which is the bohemian area with retro shops and record stores, which was cool but not a lot different to England really. Wellington is a nice town and has lots of cafes, bars and shops to keep you distracted, but in terms of sights it's limited, especially in the rain! Myself and two roomies: Carlos from Chile and Scott from Colorado, went for some food in the bar and being 2-4-1 drinks and a fridy night (I love this bar, so many deals) we were all tipsy by half 7! So we went to the hostel common room and met people from all over the world and later moved on the a late bar on Courtenay Place with two Austrians called Marco and Gabriel and had a pretty wicked night.
Day 192 - Last night our flatmate Andrew (who was the culprit for the smell in our room, so we put his trainers in a locker and shut the door) came in last night and woke us all up shouting very loudly "f*ck off, f*ck off" to himself! It was a bit disturbing - he seemed quite nice when he was sober.
Raining again! I had breakfast in the hotel but went with Scott and Carlos to Cuba Street so they could get breakfast (or two each to be precise). The first place we went to was a pub and once we had sat down the bartender asked me for ID (at 10:30 in the morning, and I was ordering a coffee - but I can understand it's his responsibility). However, when he wouldn't accept my UK license and would only take NZ ID I got quite outraged! Be realistic, a policeman is not going to come in at this hour and ID me before finding my UK license (stating I'm almost 5 years legal) and arrest the bartender! So we had to leave and actually ended up in a much nicer place.
Because of the weather I thought I'd end up doing nothing all day, but instead a random, fun and spontaneous day ensued. All day I spent with Scott and Carlos and we got on famously, with I think, about one moments silence between us for the entire period! So after breakfast we all went to return Scott's hire car and got a tad lost on the way, but seeing more of the city I guess. Once we made it, the company drove us back to town and Scott and I had a big debate about the right way to eat a banana, which the couple sat behind us in the minivan loved! We decided to get dropped off at the Government buildings (in particular the beehive - a 1970s monstrosity) and the couple in the minibus quickly recommended a pub opposite for lunch. We had a walk about and there was a political activist protesting (alone) in a santa clause outfit (in September) with a very loud microphone outside the beehive. He came and gave us all a lolly, which we took and ate - talk about taking sweets from strangers and a wierd one at that!)
We went into the pub - The Backbenchers - a really nice place with 'Spitting Image' style statues of NZ politicians on the wall. Had a yum risotto and more talking! Walked aimlessly in the direction of town centre and ended up by the waterfront in the sunshine! Saw a seal in the harbour and couldn't believe how clean and clear the water was. We then went to the top of Te Papa for views of the city and make the most of the good weather. Back at the hotel we chilled in the room eating chocolate and sharing embarassing stories - like a group of teenage girls!
Carlos left to go back to Chile and Scott, the Austrians and I went to the hostel bar for dinner (the kitchen in the hostel is smaller than ours at home - for getting on 500 beds!) After that we hung out in the common room and listened to the Austrians stories (of which there are many) and ate more chocolate! Ended up with an early night until...
In the middle of the night, a drunk Andrew came home very loud and very drunk. he couldn't get his key card to work and so knocked on the door and shouted saying he was the police. Well somebody had to let him in, and since noone else was stirring, I clambered from my top bunk and opened the door to see him stood there... with a girl. He was very loud and I said "shh go to sleep", to which he replied "f*ck off", before turning to the girl and saying that there are lots of people in the room and they would have to "do it" somwhere else (no prizes for guessing what he meant - thank God some more people moved in that day, otherwise he might not have been so shy!) To be honest, he was very scary and if I had been alone in the room with him I'd have left right there and then. As I was up, I went to the toilet and heard him come into the shower cubicle - knowing what was about to happen, I hastily washed my hands and got the hell out of there, just in time to hear her say to him (and I kid you not) "your penis is massive"! Back in the room across the hall, we all had to listen to a good hour of very loud sex until finally he came back to the room (or rather he had to be let back in). He got into bed and started his shouting again, this time about fighting! I can't wait to escape this bloke, he is by far the most agressive and disturbing person I have come across whilst travelling!
Day 193 - Because I wanted at least a day in Wellington, the next Stray bus north was not until 3 days later. I had considered taking another bus north earlier as I thought I'd get very bored here, but having met so many cool people, it's been really cool. Scott and I both said yesterday that we were going to eat in more from now on, but since my bread was mouldy and he needed little persuason, we started the day going out for breakfast! I had planned to spend the day inside on the internet, but finding it glorious sunshine outside, I knew the day couldn't be waited.
So us two and the two austrians (plus a german) walked along Oriental Parade and up to Mt Victoria lookout for a stunning panoramic view of the city and bay. Afterwards we walked down and across town, stopping at Subway on the way - I had barely finished chewing when the boys were up and out the door and walking at my jogging pace once more. We got the 'cable car' (which is actually a funicular railway) up to the botanical gardens and after a walk about I left the boys to come back to the hostel and pack. In the room I chatted to Nicholas, a lovely guy from Korea and I tried helping him with his english, finding myself a very poor teacher! He got very excited when I mentioned karaoke and even sang me a little bit of Hey Jude! Andrew was in the room but barely even looked at me - the bathroom is now out of order and I wont tell you what he left on the floor!
Scott, myself and the Austrians went out to a no frills malaysian restaurant to celebrate Gabriels birthday (which was actually yesterday but Marco was too hungover to eat anything!) Before going out I saw Laura in the hostel, who had just arrived from the south island and is going on my bus to Auckland tomorrow. Andrew didn't come home at all and so had a lovely, undisturbed nights sleep!
