WELLINGTON (Day 6)
We got up early, packed up the car and checked out of the farm. We drove into town to have some breakfast at the Village Cafe. I had eggs on toast. Unfortunately kiwis (as New Zealanders refer to themselves) seem to like that dry, hard, cold British-style toast and some of it preferred to go into my lungs instead. I had a rather dramatic coughing fit, so much so that a woman from the next door shop came running out with a glass of water. Anyway, I survived the toast and we started the drive back to Wellington. We had debated doing some more tasting, but a friend of his was having a big lunch back in town and she really wanted Regan to attend. During the drive back, however, it seems things unravelled and the lunch was cancelled. Or at least that was the direction it was headed before Regan's phone died.
It was warm and sunny out, and the drive in the convertible was beautiful. On the way back, in Upper Hutt, there was a gypsy fair. Apparently this group of people in creative-looking vehicles drives from town to town, setting up their wares. It wasn't much different than a Boulder fair... filled with crafts, jewelry and tarot card readings.
We stopped at East Harbor Regional Park, where Regan used to go as a kid. They called it Butterfly Stream (although we didn't see a single one of the darn insects until we had left the park and were back in the city). We grabbed a couple of pastries for the hike and were off.
The vegetation was quite thick. Regan hopped down to the stream to look for crayfish like he used to do as a kid, but no luck today.
Searching the stream
The path was steep and crisscrossed with thick roots. Cicadas filled the air with their monotonous tone. Pine trees mixed with ferns and tropical trees and palms.
The thick vegetation
The "path"
Ferns
We reached the top and then began the hike down... sort of. The darn trail kept going back up again. It literally was like going uphills both ways! Eventually we saw the sea and began a steep decent. At some point, I realized my sunglasses had fallen out of my pocket... and Regan realized he'd left both his hat and sunglasses sitting somewhere.
A view of the ocean
Agapanthus
Cabbage Tree
A "short" hike ended up being 4 hours. Neither of us had worn "sensible" shoes and we were feeling it. We consoled ourselves with some ice-cream.
Passion fruit ice cream on the beach
We went to his apartment and I finally got a chance to rest. I took a nap for about an hour while he made dinner... pear salad with yogurt and feta, and corn with cumin butter. He has worked as a cook for many years. I then crashed... finally in bed early for the first time since my arrival.
In the morning, we grabbed the GoPro and headed out. We first stopped at a store to buy a 'filming pole.' In the cleaning section, we found a random broomstick just lying about. I brought it to the front counter and they made me a deal on it since it was "unusable"... only NZ$4 instead of NZ$13. Done!
We clamped the camera to our new high-tech equipment and filmed driving along the coast. Stopping in Scorching Bay, we did a short swim in the water. It was QUITE cold so I let Regan do the underwater stuff.
We returned home and decide to go to the large Island Bay Festival that was taking place nearby. The place was packed. We sat listening to live music while eating some bread with baba ghanoush and kiwis (technically called "kiwi fruit" here... as not to confuse with kiwis - the people).
Setting up at the music pavillion
Me with my special kiwi fruit spoon... yes, there is a special utensil for eathing them!
We walked down to the beach to see if the festivities had started. Apparently they have a boat blessing... although it is somewhat chaotic, with numerous boats of all sizes milling about the harbor until at some point, they all line up and circle the island, coming back past a boat with several priest who then throw holy water at each one as it passes.
Boats of all sizes filled the harbor.
A view back at the festival
A day on the beach isn't complete without a beer.
The boats start to line up.
The blessing took place with bagpipes playing somewhere in the distance.
After the blessing, we walked back home. An orange-chocolate-chip ice cream cone kept me company. We reviewed the GoPro footage, trying to learn what to do better for next time. We popped out for an Indian dinner at Curry Heaven, then did another drive and walk along the beach. We were just a few moments too late for the golden rays of sunset.
Today was extremely windy and rainy... so I stayed in with the hopes of catching up with things. That's the beauty of spending several months in a country; you can take a day off and not stress about it. Unfortunately I keep getting locked out of various email and other accounts because of my "suspicious" location.
My "work station" with lush views and grey skies
A bit later the sun came out and Regan came home from work. We went grocery shopping and he cooked up a wonderful dinner... pasta with red bell peppers and portabello in an alfredo sauce, washed down by a gewurztraminer and dark chocolate.
Regan in the kitchen
A wonderful meal
It's cold, rainy and miserable. Tomorrow morning I am supposed to catch the ferry. It is either the most beautiful trip ever... or one of the roughest spots on all the seas, depending on the weather.
Here are some shots of the money. Not only are the bills quite colorful, they are also waterproof!... thick, sturdy things that (according to Regan) are capable of surviving the washing machine.
The colorful bills
Coins with kiwis and Maori art
Regan got off work early so we drove out to the Weta Cave. Weta is a visual effects production company created by Peter Jackson (The Hobbit) and others. It was named after a large ugly cricket-like insect that is unique to New Zealand.
The small museum had a bunch of memorabilia from various movies, including lots of Lord of the Rings stuff. There was also a workshop but it cost too much for a tour. Just as we finished up looking around, several large tour busses pulled up, so we headed out.
I stand with Gandalf
Hobbit feet. Actually, many New Zealanders seem to distain shoes and walk around barefoot.
Hundreds of miniature skulls for battle scenes, I guess.
We swung downtown to find me some cheap sunglasses. Unfortunately it was rush hour, so we parked a ways away and walked. Stores close early here but we found one that was open and I was able to grab a pair of $3 shades.
It started raining on the drive out to Massey Memorial. We hill up to the memorial was lined with giant trees and enormous snarled roots.
The memorial on the top of the hill
William Ferguson Massey was Prime Minister from 1912-25.
Views of the storm
We picked up some Thai food then drove to the beach to eat it in the car (it was quite windy and still raining a bit). After eating, we braved the wild wind to take a quick photo of the statue that sat overlooking the harbor.
I think he's actually looking at the airport, dreaming of getting off the island someday!
Me with my new shades (it was either these or bright pink ones). Regan is jealous he also didn't get some (notice him squinting in the sun!)
Upon returning home, we edited our films while feasting on cheese and chocolate. I then showered and packed. We have to leave by 6:30 am to catch the ferry.
return • continue
|
|
