Day 13 & 14: Wellington

I had enjoyed my last night in Napier, I spent the evening sitting at the hotel bar chatting to the staff and drinking tea (yes, tea! 😳 I had an early start!!) Then my friend David from Sunday night came in, we had another lovely chat and then he asked me if I was a trained Barista, and did I fancy making him a coffee in my room!! 😁☺️ Well, whilst I was flattered (he clearly hasn’t seen my Latta Art!) I politely declined…although I’m sure the ‘Coffee’ would have been fun!

I managed to wake up at 6am for my bus to Wellington, I headed off to the bus stop on foot much to the surprise of the Receptionist, who had clocked the size of my case and wanted to order me a taxi! The drive to Wellington was really great, the morning started off very misty and atmospheric, especially as we were driving through the mountains, it was also a little scary lots of hairpin bends. Once the mist and cloud lifted it was beautiful, you arrive into Wellington driving along the coast for a while which was great. I grabbed a taxi and went to my accommodation, the YHA. I quickly dropped of my stuff and went out to explore. The YHA is in a great location very close to the waterfront so that’s where I headed. The harbour is big and gorgeous, especially in the sunshine. As I was mooching along I bumped into Claire and Pete the guys from my Napier Wine Tour! (I had also bumped into the previous day in the Napier Museum) we chatted and then arranged to meet for dinner along the waterfront. I continued with my walk and sightseeing. I like Wellington, it’s large but not huge and easy to navigate, having a large waterfront helps.

I met up with Claire and Pete and we had a nice Italian meal and some good NZ wine they are thinking of making some big changes, moving to NZ possibly and ultimately opening a coffee shop!! So we had lots to talk about. Pete very kindly and unexpectedly paid for the meal, bless him. I walked back to the YHA along the waterfront and although it was Latish, 10.30, and dark it didn’t feel threatening, there were a few couples wandering along enjoying their evening. I got home and went to my bed. I’m glad to say that this YHA had anticipated the cold weather and had provided a working heater and a large fleecy blanket!! I slept very snuggly.

This morning I had arranged to go and say hi to a lady called Angela. Angela is the step-mum of the lovely Cory,  In a weird set of circumstances, involving coffee, gifts and pure luck! we had arranged to meet up when I was in Wellington, and as she worked just round the corner from The YHA I said I’d pop in and say hi.  This is I did and Angela is fabulous! We are going out for lunch tomorrow, which I’m sure will be lots of fun! Angela also happened to mention that the All Blacks would be down on the waterfront doing some promo for the match tomorrow. My plans to go up on the cable car were quickly rescheduled, I grabbed a taxi to move to my new accommodation (the YHA is booked for the weekend…rude)  and hot footed it to Queens Quay, and the they were! I managed to get the best ever selfies! Seriously, these guys are bloody gorgeous! Whilst I was in the queue the official photographer asked the family in front of me if one of the kids would like to do a Haka photobomb? I was like “Yes!, Me, please” so I got the chance…hey kids, sorry, not sorry!! The picture is very comical, I look a little demented, perhaps not the look the photographer was going for, but hey ho! It was great fun! I now have a poster signed by 9 of the All Blacks team a flag to wave about at tomorrow’s game and some priceless selfies!! A very good start to my Friday. 😍

I spent the rest of the day walking through the botanical gardens, which you get to on the cable car. The gardens are wonderful, the smells were amazing. I also spotted my first native bird, a parrot of some sort. I asked about the lack of exotic birds and was told that when us British came here the island was full of a huge variety of native birds, but as we liked to do, we wanted our new country to be like England so we bought in sparrows, starlings and other non native species, we also bought in predators such as stoats, which had a damaging effect on the native wildlife….such arrogance and ignorance is so sad.

I am currently sitting in the hotel bar, which is mobbed, lots of people in town for the match. I’m debating whether to head across the road to the Intercontinental Hotel and just chill in their bar, I hear it’s lovely and a certain Rugby Team might just be staying there! 😂

Anyway that’s it for now, quite an exciting few days! Loving life at the moment.

Kia Ora sweeties.

Author: hereandthereclaire

Hi, my name is Claire and I am 60 years young, welcome to my blog. I am new to the whole travel and blog writing world, so no judging! I recently made some big life changes, leaving my job in education and moving myself and my younger children to Newquay in Cornwall, I then started a business with some fantastic friends #coffeeonthecornernewquay. And now I am about to embark on my first big travel adventure...I would love to share this with you. Since starting this blog in 2018 I have made more changes, and now in 2024 I will be traveling full time for the next year! Please join me in sharing my Big Adventure! ❤️ View all posts by hereandthereclaire