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3/1/09
We arrived in Wellington yesterday and are staying at another B&B, The Booklovers. It has been raining all day so we took advantage of the weather to do laundry and rest. One of those comfy stay inside type of days. We met some of the other guests and talked with our host over a cup of tea. Jane, our host, said that during the filming of the Lord of the Ring series they kept horses next to her house where we are parking our car. Also the scene in the first moving when they are in the forest and hiding from the black riders under a fallen tree, this is next to her house as well. We went for a walk in the forest tonight after dinner on one of the many trails. With the size of the tress and their shape I can see where it would be a frightening place at night.
For dinner we walked down the hill for some Greek food. Time passed and with good wine and fine music we enjoyed our evening out. Some people from another table began doing the traditional Greek dancing. Soon I was joining them and breaking dishes on the floor in celebration of Andrew's birthday. You can buy five dishes and drop them on the brick floor. We ended up joining them at their table and learned they where from Serbia and now live in Auckland. Allen eventually got up and danced as well. We had a great time.
The next day the sun was out but very windy with temp to be 65. Wellington is known as the windy city with good reason. The gusts can be so strong they blow you around a little.
We drove over to the Weta Cave where on display are different props and other items used in films by Peter Jackson. There is also a 20 minute movie about Weta and how they started and how they have grown over the years. I was unaware of all the different movies, programs, and other projects they are involved in.
We took the car back to the B&B and then walked into town. The houses are very narrow and long and spaced very close together. Some are painted in unique colors and designs like gingerbread type.
We spent most of the day in the Te Papa museum. The museum is quite large and is free to the public. One level deals with the geological forces tha shaped NZ landscape. Another level deals with the introduction and survival of the animals and plants brought to this country. The third level has displays relating to the earth and changing landscape of Aotearoa NZ. Aotearoa is the Maori word for NZ and means land of the long clouds. Level four had a marae, meeting house, similar to the one we saw the show in. Here, as there, you must take your shoes off before entering. We also saw a replica of the boat Kaupe rode over in from Hawaiiki. Then there was the colossal squid at 4.2 meters long and weighing nealy half a ton. There was so much to see and I'm sure we missed some areas.
By the time we left the museum we where very hungry as it was 3:30. As we found out most places close about 3 and then reopen about 5 or 6. We heard of a good Italian place and had to wait until 6. We walked back to the house and rested and then went and had our dinner. Allen really enjoyed the music, which included old songs from Dean Martin.
Now back at the house and packed for a early start tomorrow. We catch the 8:30 ferry to the South Island that takes three hours. I would like to hang glide tomorrow but we will see how the wind is. Allen wants to go up in an ultralight as well.
Sleep tight everyone and we'll send this tomorrow.
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