Wellington

Interislander ferry heading toward Picton

We departed Picton harbour with our rental car on the Interislander Ferry.  The ferry has 10 decks - two decks just for vehicles including large semi-trailer trucks.  The crossing takes 3 hours.  Along the way we saw albatross and dozens of bottlenose dolphins.  There is a lounge area, a playground level for children, cafes and even a cinema on board.  The views of Queen Charlotte Sound were lovely.

Picton Harbor

Queen Charlotte Sound

Bottlenose dolphins

Our apartment is in Days Bay is about 20 minutes from the center of Wellington, either by car or by ferry.  The terrain surrounding Wellington is very steep, and our home is not the only one with a private cable car leading to it.  There is also a switchback path up the hill.

Cable Car to apartment

Cable car track

We visited Zealandia - The Karori Eco-Sanctuary our first day in Wellington.  This sanctuary is about 1 square mile and is just minutes from the center of the city with predator-proof fencing and regenerating forests and wetlands.  Zealandia is a must visit site in Wellington.  We first visited the museum exhibits which were well worth it.  Endangered species here are doing very well.  We saw several endangered and protected species - 5 species we had not seen previously: the tuatara (a remnant from the dinosaur age), the hihi (stitchbird), North Island robin, whitehead, and dozens of saddlebacks.  Walking the Round the Lake Track, which was off the main track, made all the difference in seeing so many birds.  

G at Zealandia - Karori Eco-sanctuary

Predator-proof fence

North Island Robin

Saddleback

Tuatara

Baby tuatara

Hihi or stitchbird at a special feeder along the walking track

After our day at Zealandia, we went into the city for dinner and a movie.  We went to the Embassy Theater - this is where all the Lord of the Rings movies premiered.  Peter Jackson helped to fund the renovation of this elaborate and beautiful 1920's theater.

Old Parliament Building

Today we enjoyed our visit to Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand.  We also visited the old parliament building.  The 1876 building appears to be made of stone, but it is actually made of kaori timbers. 

We also were excited to find a Wagamama's restaurant down the quay from the museum.  Now we have been to Wagamama's in London, Oxford, Bath, and Wellington.  Wagamama's is a fun eating experience for vegetarians or meat eaters.  Yum!