North Island

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Wednesday 4th March

Today we sailed from Picton in the South Island to Wellington in the North Island, a 3 hour crossing, very calm conditions. We had booked a city centre hotel for two nights with parking for Lara Lor van, a well earned rest for both parties! After checking in we walked 'downtown' and had a drink in a bar with all the important working people of Wellington, then on to Cuba Street where there are lots of restaurants.

Next day fully refreshed we set of early, had a look round Wellington Catherdal; a guided tour of the parliament buildings which was very interesting; visited the old government building which is actually fully constructed of wood, but look like stone, the building now serves as the law faculty of the Victoria University; took the cable car up the hillside to the botanic gardens; walked back to town through the fabulous gardens; spent the afternoon in Te Papa the national museum.

After all that we needed a drink and had just ordered a cold one and were sitting in the sun watching some boat racing, just like dragon boats, when someone spotted a boat offering trips round the bay. So off we went drink in hand and sailed round the bay on a catamaran - who says you can't see a city in a day!!

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Photos

Wellington City
A view of Wellington City from the top of the cable car.