Wellington - Middle Earth Meander - New Zealand 2016 - February 2016

Return to alavigne.net home

NOTE: You have javascript disabled in your browser. This presentation will continue to function, but with only basic capabilities. In order to view this presentation will full capabilities, please enable javascript in your browser, then refresh this page.

[< Previous Page]

[page 1] [page 2] [page 3]

[Next Page >]

We finished with the museum around 5pm, heading back out into the brilliantly sunny summer day. We had worked up a good appetite by this point, and started walking along city streets with an eye towards something tasty to eat. The route we chose seemed to have few restaurants, and those we encountered were (strangely) closed. Perhaps even restaurants close on Sunday in New Zealand?

courtesy JInnes

Back across Civic Square

Recurring Richard

Looking for supper

After a lot of circuitous, fruitless walking, we ended up at Queen's Wharf - a different section of the waterfront - where there were several bars and restaurants that were open. We chose to eat at "Munchen" - a german beer house. Not exactly classic New Zealand fare. However, still hearty and tasty, and of course, with good beer.

Curiously, we ran into Richard - the chatty Torontonian from back at the Vancouver airport - in downtown Wellington, completely by coincidence. Then perhaps an hour later, we ran into him again. We began to wonder if he was a spy. Then, we invited him to eat dinner with us.

Queen's Wharf

HMNZS Canterbury

Shipyard machinery

courtesy JInnes

Bier Haus for dinner

Richard again

With our appetites sated, we continued our city walk. We located the bottom end of the Wellington Cable Car, a historic funicular system that connects downtown to the top of the hill upon which the city's botanical gardens are located. According to the Cable Car's website, over a million visitors use the system each year; yet, these visitors were not in evidence on this Sunday evening, as the tram was virtually empty. Ever-expanding views across downtown Wellington unfolded as we ascended to the top.

Historic Cable Car

Jazzed-up tunnels

Hilltop City View

Mere steps from the top station of the Cable Car began the so-called "Downhill Path" through the botanical gardens. The more garden-savvy among us were mesmerized as we wound down through the various regions of the park. Banks upon banks of hydrangea, thick stands of trees, beds of succulents, grids of roses, all pleasantly organized, manicured and connected via tidy paths and walkways.