Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Tuesday 21st May
I slept well in the night, apart from someone snoring in the middle of the night which disturbed me. I was nice not having to rush when I woke up. People had left the room from just before 7am but when I woke up at 8am there was still a few sleeping bodies.
I got up, washed and dressed. My bags were orderly from last night, so I checked my washing and took down what was dry. Once my little bag was packed with water, camera, wallet and guide book I went down for breakfast. I had 2 crumpets and a banana. It was a leisurely morning with no rush. I did have the joy of starting my malaria pills again, as I would be in South America in 3 days. At 9am I headed off to walk to the Mount Victoria look out. Today was meant to be the better day for weather, so I was going to do the walks and outside things today. At he hostel reception they said it was about an hours walk to the look out. I set off walking, it was a beautiful, sunny and fresh morning. I walked along the pavements following my instructions I was given. Soon as I picked up a sun leading me up some small residential streets. The houses looked older and run down. They were wooden and looked like what you'd expect from an old small town. I continued to walk with the gradient slowly increasing. Soon I found the park with the walk in so I turned off the road. From here the path got steeper and slipperier. The path weaved through grass and trees. It was a good 20mins from the road to walk up. Half way up after sliding around a couple of times, I thought I should have listened to the lady in the hostel when she said she said she wouldn't recommend flip flops, but I persevered. It was a nice relaxing walk as I was in no hurry and it was a lovely day. It was so become warmer as the sun rose. I eventually got to the top and then climbed the few steps onto the lookout. It gave an amazing view of the city. Wellington from this view was much bigger than than the few streets I had seen. With the sun out it gave a sparkling image of the city, well worth the climb. You could see the whole city 360 degrees. There was also some information boards at the top which I read. Before heading back to the hostel, I walked 5mins down the road to another lookout. This view have a much clearer imagine of the ocean and ships coming in and out. Once I had taken in all the views I headed back to the hostel. The walk back was much easier and seemed a lot shorter. There was one tricky bit with a slippery down hill but a slow waddle solved this. It felt like it was no time and I was back on the main road. I decided to walk back a slightly different way on the hunt for some tiny teddies (as I had said to Sarah we would get some for the bus journey on Thursday and I was banned from New World). I popped into the local convenient shops but no tiny teddies. I was soon back at the hostel, plus I had a little more baring of where I was in the city.
It was 11.30am by the time I got back. I made myself a cup of tea and sat down in the lounge with a fruit bar and an apple. I caught the end of 'The Devil Wears Prada' film as I sat there. Just after midday I headed back out for the second adventure of the day. I was heading to the botanical gardens. I headed off what I assumed was the first direction and used the free CBD wifi to send a few emails to the hostels I was staying in in South America. I think I may have taken a wrong turning but still heading in the right direction. I came across a New World Metro and my hopes were raised at the thought of Tiny teddy success, but alas no. However, I now had a proper supermarket to to go opposed the cheap and poor convenient shops. I then found the right path heading to the cable car (up to the gardens). On my way I found the true shopping heart of the city. There was hundreds of shops selling high street names and people in suits bustling around. It was strange seeing busy streets with people and cars after our time in the South Island where people were scares.
After about 15mins from leaving the hostel I found the cable car ticket office and got myself a one-way ticket up. The cars left every 10mins but I got there just in time for the next one to leave. It was a steep accent. It was a slow ride but it provided an excellent view of the city, with all the buildings and landscape. It was only about a 5min trip before we were at the top. I hopped off and was in the gardens. I had a quick look around the cable car museum where I learnt a little about its history, but there wasn't much there so I didn't stay long.
I made my way down the main path of the gardens. It was very different from the gardens in Australia. Here there was one main path but with lots of others coming off going on their own adventures. I stayed mainly on the path downwards, occasionally taking smaller tracks. The gardens details were amazing, with different sections and so many different plants. I started feeling a bit strange and headachy, but I carried on walking but bag deterred me to go off on too many smaller paths.
I wondered down in my own time down to the bottom where there was a rose garden and a cafe. I sat down and had a cup of tea and watched some small birds fly around the table. Once I'd finished my tea it was just gone 2pm. I looked at my map and realised I was near the Beehive and Government building. I had planned to do them tomorrow, but as I had time and was that end of town. I walked down to the beehive through an old cemetery. It was interesting reading some of the tombstone from 1880s and hearing how loved ones were all buried together.
I arrived at the Beehive around 2.40pm. I had to go through a security check and hand by bag in and waited for the tour to start. I read some information around the foyer. Just before 3pm, they showed us a video about the history of the buildings, that the old government building caught on fire, then they altered the structure for earthquake protection etc. Our tour guide Murray then took us around all three buildings and showed us how the earthquake buffers worked. The Beehive where they have all the minter officers. Government building where they have the select committee chambers and the House of Representatives. Then the Government Library. Murray was very informative and tried to explain how their political system worked. It was very interesting to see how it worked and their processes. It seemed very much similar to the English system, apart from they only had one house (no Lords or Senate) and their voting system wasn't first past the post but instead proportional representation. The tour lasted over an hour. The buildings were restored to their original structure after fires during the earthquake proof structure. I really enjoyed my trip around the buildings. It was a shame I couldn't take any photos inside.
Once the tour was finished I headed back to the hostel. Once back in range of free wifi, I did a few jobs (Owen's Birthday card, check and move money ready for South America, send some emails and confirm my Stray pickup on Thursday).
On the way back I brought some sushi, as I hadn't had lunch and I found some at half price, so 5 little rolls for $2.50...I would be going there again tomorrow late afternoon as it was good sushi. I then called into the New World Metro for a few bits of food for the night and tomorrow. I then made my way back to the hostel. I got back just after 5pm. I sat in the lounge room and ate my sushi, which was great. The TV was showing the last few minuets of 'The Devil Wears Prada' again. I then went to my room, on the way I booked in for the third night, as it was a nice hostel and was worth the pennies. I dumped my bags and wrote my diary for a bit. Just after 6pm I went to the bar for my free snack, today it was a mini portion of mushroom and chicken linguine, which was ok. I sat in the bar and ate my food. Once finished I went back to the lounge and ate a yogurt. Four Holidays was playing, so I sat and watched this whilst writing. Once the film was over I put some washing on. I was still hungry but didn't want to make noodles, so I put some apricots and a nut mix I brought today in my yogurt and finished it off. I sat watching a couple of TV programmes in the lounge before heading to bed around 9.30pm. It had been a nice calm day although I managed to fit a lot in. I still wasn't feeling 100%, I wasn't sure if I was tired or maybe because I'd slowed down for the last few days so things had caught up with me. I got changed for bed and wrote a little before snuggling down around 10pm.
- comments