Tuesday: Wellington, Cable Car, WETA Cave, Roses, Church, Theater

Wellington is a very windy city. They didn't tell us until AFTER the ferry crossing, but apparently the Strait can be quite rough with 15 foot swells. We lucked out, it was quite calm last night. It may rain, but no one seems to carry an umbrella--too windy. Steve is the driver and terrific guide of our half-day minibus tour of Wellington.

The "Beehive" Paliament building seen through droplets of rain on the windshield

Some homes have their own private cable car...

First stop -- the Mt.Victoria Lookout.

We follow with a visit to the WETA Cave where we take a behind-the-scenes look at Peter Jackson's studio and look at artifacts from his movies.

Model of Rivendell

And of course, an Orc

Interior of WETA Cave theater showing the development and continuing success of WETA. (I shot this photo before we were asked not to take photos ... oops)

 The town honors Jackson with a tripod-mounted camera sculpture.

One of the activities one is encouraged to do in Wellington is "go film a trilogy"  ha ha!

At the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the Botanical Gardens, we stop for a spot of tea, as it starts to sprinkle.

A final stop is at the Old St. Paul's church -- native timber Colonial Gothic built in 1866.

The US Marine Corp and American flag behind it  are displayed because Marines were assigned to protect NZ during WWII and they selected this church for worship.

 Aline and I meet up with Val, the sister of one of our stateside Kiwi friends, to have lunch.

Steak pie with chili sauce

We ride the Cable Car to the Botanical Gardens at the top. 

Her husband Richard joins us and we drive out to the South Coast to see the beaches and also to visit a number of artist galleries.

Sculpture near the water's edge

And we visited a pet store so Aline could buy souvenirs for her canine friends whom she never forgets while traveling.

We all dine at the Circa Theater Restaurant (I order a local NZ fish over veggies)

and see the quirky play at the Circa Theater - Lead Wait - about a woman, her former lover, her intimate brother, and her current lover, a bit of nudity and swearing, fighting over bath water, a dead baby's skull, and fish frying in a pan, it's all good. Tomorrow will be our last day in NZ...