We left Napier this morning and head headed south through the wine country we so enjoyed yesterday. It is just over a 4 hour drive down to Wellington so we got on the road just before 9.
Keen observers of blog facts may have noticed not a single picture of sheep yet. Actually, we have seen way more cows but we tried hard to get a super sheepy shot for you today. When you see them the herds can be immense but New Zealand’s narrow roads often make stopping to get a picture impossible or dangerous. We will keep trying though.
We went through some interesting towns today, Scandinavian Dannevirke, cute as heck Greytown, and we stopped for lunch in Martinborough at Tirohana Estate winery. Our shared food plate was delicious but Julian managed to insult the server over the pinot noir which somehow tasted like cold mulled wine - apparently that is the style there. His appalling manners did spare The from having to comment on the Sauvignon Blanc which was just as odd. Strange, we had wines yesterday grown from Martinborough grapes but they were much better.
After lunch we got back in the car to see the thermometer reading 46C! It wasn’t that hot but the high 30’s would not be an exaggeration! We then drove up and through the Rumitaki pass, another excellent potential motorcycling road.
Finally we arrived in Wellington mid-afternoon. It’s an interesting looking city around a huge natural harbour. It’s too soon to say much about it yet but the waterfront walk and marine activity is extensive and interesting. We are in a very modern, very artistic hotel situated right by the National Museum of New Zealand which is rated as one of the top attractions here. We just have to beat the cruise ship passengers there tomorrow.
Some waterfront sights.
Some prawn shaped public toilets for the collection of weird loos!
While we enjoyed a drink the Cook Straight ferry docked right in front of us.
Sculpture depicting the first Maori explorers.
Also, we had our best meal yet in New Zealand tonight at a waterfront restaurant, and that is saying something as the quality of cuisine here has been pretty good all round.
Tomorrow we have a day to explore the city on foot and it looks like the weather will cooperate.
Meanwhile here is a look at some of the eccentric art in our hotel
Fantastic pics Ruben. Maybe you can get one of a sheep laying down😁
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