Wellington, NZ 2/2/2018

We were unable to dock in Napier, NZ due to wind and waves.  Disappointing, but as I watched the pilot disembark from our ship onto the Pilot Boat which was bobbing like a cork, it was evident this was a good decision.

2/2/18  Wellington, NZ.  Wellington is called the “coolest little capital in the world”.  On the southwestern tip of the North Island, it enjoys views of the Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range.  It is the southernmost capital city of an independent nation in the world.  Architecture in the city ranges from classic weatherboard wooden cottages to the clean lines of art deco to Edwardian and postmodern.    

Lots of cute little cottages around the town.  

Wellington, a great city with lots of friendly people.  The day was a bit gray.  We were quite lucky as the weather waited until we were on the shuttle back to the ship before it turned misty.  

We went to the visitor's center and chose a tour that took us around the Wellington area.  This is the southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.  We could just glimpse the Southern Island.  We heard the story of a ferry that was wrecked in this area.

We walked along the waterfront from our shuttle stop to the Visitors' Center.

Wharf Office

Lots of great architectural examples.  

We rode the cable car to the top and our bus picked us up there.

Many beautiful roses in the Rose Garden, a part of the Botanical Garden.  

This building is  known as the "Beehive".  It is the capital building.  We were told the designer drew the building on a napkin and presented it as a joke.  He was very surprised when the design was chosen as the new capital building.  

St. Paul's Church

Town Hall, another example of some of the beautiful architecture.  

FACEBOOK   Wellington is on the southwestern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.  It is called the “coolest little capital in the world” as it is known for its creative culture, great food, wine, craft beer, coffee and events.  Population is over 400,000.  

Rode into Wellington on the shuttle.  Walked along the waterfront to the information center.  Chose Wellington City Sights and Coastline with Hammonds Wellington Tour Company.  We passed the Beehive Capital Building and Parliament Buildings.  The Beehive design was submitted as a joke, but the leaders chose that design for the capital building.  Visited Old St. Paul’s Church.  Visited the Botanical Gardens - 24 hectares of beautiful gardens and our focus was the Rose Gardens.  Rode the iconic red Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay and the bus picked us up at the top. Great views across the city and harbor.  Oriental Bay is Wellington's inner-city beach.   Stopped near the site of the Wahine Maritime Disaster - the crash of a ferry traveling from the South Island to the North Island.  Saw Lyall Bay - “The Locals’ Beach”. Spent time on Mount Victoria enjoying 360 degree vistas of the city, harbor and ocean.  Mount Victoria is a public recreation ground.   Also toured areas of interest in the Te Papa Museum, New Zealand's national museum.  Passed through quaint villages throughout the city and enjoyed a variety of architecture from classic weatherboard wooden cottages to the clean lines of art deco to Edwardian and postmodern.