We puddled into the lovely Museum Art Apartments, tiny bedrooms, very efficient layout, very clean, we loved it except the one time the elevator stuck. Even used the swimming pool once. Privately chosen and owned art all over the hotel, they provided a folder with information on the artworks but not where it could be found so a bit of treasure seeking there. Great wine in the bar.
Popped over to the supermarket to get a bottle of wine, but was hit with major indecision! All this is just the Shiraz! Luckily there was wine tasting in the store that day (very nice practice) - the cheerful lady from #Negociansnz had no problem selling me her wine. The Chardonnay was amazing.
Weta Shop tour, we didn't mind more rain. Nice being picked up in town and driven there, good commentary on the way, nice intro film at the shop. Then a workshop tour with NO photos due to legal restrictions, YAY. I won't spoil much - yes there was LOTR stuff and other stuff and we did see some of the real things they use to make stuff - I absolutely have to see District9 when I get back. Our guide was a Weta Baby - that is both his parents worked for Weta from before he was born, he was very interesting if your English is good and fast. Then we got pushed into the car and driven back to town after 5 minutes. Hello? Time to use money in the tiny Weta store, please? Shopping online just isn't the same. Tourists and product sales are secondary at best there, it seems. Film production is Huge in Wellington.
Several visits to Te Papa, a fantastic museum by the harbour. Free entry and too much to absorb in one visit. Lots about Maori, on NZ history, earthquakes, natural history, evolution - the Weta bugs are very much not extinct, unlike the giant Emu. Hope the special earthquake brakers saved the museum from much damage.
Sunday it was only a few raindrops and time to wander around downtown - most of the shops were open! Found some lovely ones (ouch credit card), and a very enthusiastic and quite large ecological wine tasting.
More pictures from Wellington, a little texting on most.
We flew from Wellington to Melbourne on Sunday 13th in the afternoon, missing the large quake(s) by mere hours. Slept before the first news. Besides, we were on North Island, worst damage was on South Island. Still too close for comfort, very glad to not experience that. I understand Kiwis who choose to move to Australia or other countries. NZ is very lovely but.
Was weird to wake up Monday morning to texts and messages, very touched by your concern. 💗 Took a while to get a post out on Facebook that we were ok, net was under pressure.
Gaming: Seekers Notes level 52 / 38. Haven't time for much gaming! Finished another Mercy Thompson book, there is something about Werewolves and Vampires....
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