Spent the majority of today looking at Te Papa's Collection - including some amazing paintings and a beautiful marae as well as some of the best ways of explaining earthquakes and volcanoes to kids (chaos but great fun - although based on dad's previous reaction to earthquakes i'm not sure he would have enjoyed the shuddering house...) they also had a beautiful garden outside which had examples of NZ natural habitats and was just so peaceful

Tried to visit the city art gallery but its currently closed for renovation (it wouldn't really be a luxford trip if at least one of the galleries wasn't closed! although i resisted the temptation to join the queue for the monet exhibition currently on at Te Papa hey dad?!) so instead visited the Wellington Museum (social history and maritime museum) which had a key object for each year 1900-2000 including a case of costume with examples for each decade - Em the 1940s dress was just sublime (which reminds me I also saw some amazing 1950s nylon polka dot summer gloves in Dunedin for you....) and then a wander round the academy gallery and the current ceramics exhibition - i could have easily taken home half the exhibits but wisely choose not to pick up the price list! its probably just as well i'm travelling alone as previous experience suggests little tolerance of my love of galleries.... (I'm going to another 2 or 3 tomorrow as well as a walking tour of the historic buildings and old wooden cathedral!)

headed back to Te Papa for lemon meringue pie (that i'd spotted at lunch) well a luxford trip to galleries is only really to sample the cakes! (although mum would be disappointed i'm letting the side down as I'm not managing a cake at every gallery!) and have ordered my tea - its fish and chips (or in kiwi fush and chups!) night in the YHA reminds me of being 15 again but without the dance classes first