The Capital City

New Zealand only has two large cities. We live in one of them, and visited the other, Wellington, this past week. Located at the bottom of the North Island, Wellington is the capital and is often compared to San Francisco due to the hilly landscape and similar weather. As one of two real cities in New Zealand, it needs a comparison to Auckland. Pluses: older buildings that give the city more character, fantastic food, all of the city’s cultural highlights are within walking distance. Minuses: often has overcast/rainy weather (its the windiest city in the southern hemisphere!) and the infrastructure is older (narrow streets).

We had two days and took in the Wellington highlights: Te Papa, Wellington’s six level museum on all things New Zealand, a tour of the Government buildings (nicknamed the Beehive), a visit to a replica Stonehenge, the nearby Martinborough vineyards where Pinot Noir is the local specialty, and a drive down the coast to Cape Palliser.

Downtown Wellington.

Old St. Paul’s Church. All geared up for Christmas.

 Downtown. Interesting bit about Wellington….it’s on a fault line. It had a 5.1 earthquake a few days before we visited, and heard on the radio there was a 4.2 earthquake while we were there (although we either didn’t notice or were in the car). The city was put there because of the potential for deep water port even with the knowledge of the potential earthquake issues.

The Beehive

A seal colony lounging on the rocks near Cape Palliser. I disturbed them trying to get a photo and received plenty of hissing for interrupting their naps.

Cap Palliser lighthouse. Steep 250 steps to the reach it.  

I can’t completely explain this picture, but I can say this tractor and boat combo were one among many on the beach in a small coastal town. All I know is the owner of the tractor is riding in style!

Small beautiful country has small beautiful churches.