Martinboroug & Wellington Jan 26th to 28th

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Martinborough is centered in the middle of one of the best wine growing areas of New Zealand. However it is also a very small town and if you are not particularly into wine, one day is enough. On our journey to Wellington we were stopped for almost an hour to permit a bike race to pass. From the support provided by the police, St. John’s Ambulance, people on motorcycles with movie cameras etc., it looked like the New Zealand version of the Tour de France. The approach into Wellington presents the city laid out along the shore line. The harbour has been turned into a people friendly place with a broad boardwalk, with restaurants, lots of sitting areas, plus spots where kids were jumping into the harbour. Years ago on a trip to Italy and Greece we met Carol and have stayed in contact , now was our chance to meet after 12 years. She was with us for both of the days we were in Wellington showing us a number of the sights. Wellington is a city of open air cafes, bars and bistros. When we were there AC DC were putting on a 4 day concert so the city was overflowing with people wearing black tee-shirts with AC DC logos on them.

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Photos

Wellington Harbour
Kids were jumping off this board into the harbour. The figure to the lower right bent over looking into the water is a statue. There were several along the waterfront.

Wellington Harbour
Several people were inside these balls trying to stand-up and move the ball where they wanted to go. Most were unsuccessful

Wellington Harbour
This is one of the beaches within the city.

Wellington
Looking across the harbour back to the downtown

The new Parliament Building
There are 3 parliament buildings side-byside. The first building, the one parliament next moved to and the latest.

Weelington Botanical Gardens
The gardens are worth a visit

Weelington Botancial Gardens
Just a mass of flowers

Wellington
We took a ride to the top of a mountain overlooking Wellington