In honor of my recent visit to Wellington, THIRTEEN THINGS about WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.
1. Wellington is the captial of New Zealand.
2. It is VERY hilly, even more so than Auckland and San Francisco. After a day spent exploring, I woke up the next day with sore thigh muscles. No need to buy a thigh master, just visit Wellington!
3. The city of Wellington is known for its wind. Evidently this is because of its position to Cook Strait. (the passage of water between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The prevailing North-West winds accelerate through the strait giving 173 days with winds greater than 60kph (32 knots) each year on average.
4. There’s an inland island rare bird sanctuary only 5 minutes drive from the center of Wellington, which is pretty amazing. See yesterday’s post.
5. The parliament buildings are known as the Beehive because of their shape. The Beehive is the newer parliament buildings while the old building is the elegant one alongside.
6. People seem to build their houses on top of hills and they balance precariously. Many of the homes are original Victorian buildings.
7. Wellington is home to Peter Jackson and sometimes called Wellywood.
8. Our national musuem Te Papa is in Wellington. My favorite part was about our animals and I really enjoyed the section on our geology. Mr. Munro and I went into the earthquake simulation, which was amazing – an old building that shook and trembled. The earth moved! In fact, the earth kept moving for a while after we left. It was neat but weird, too.
This is one of the Maori panels plus a model of a moa and our local hawk. Both birds are extinct now but were the largest birds in the world at the time.
9. Wellington sits on a fault line and they have lots of earthquakes.
10. Mt. Victoria gives a scenic view of the city and harbor. I’m glad we could drive up rather than walking! This is me up the top of Mt. Victoria.
11. There are quite a few vineyards around. We went to Martinborough – a relief to walk around here since it was flat!!
12. All the vineyards are close to town. We hired bikes and rode around the vineyards.
13. And we stopped to have lunch and sample some of the wines. This is me relaxing at lunch. We rode around 10kms on our bikes before heading back to the hotel to soak in a spa bath. A very relaxing weekend.
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February 21st, 2008 at 5:14 am · Link
Great T13! Man, you make me wish I could visit it. :)
February 21st, 2008 at 5:18 am · Link
Gorgeous photos. I’d love to visit N.Z. and the Aussie lands. Lucky girl!
February 21st, 2008 at 6:29 am · Link
You need to get some rooms ready-we all want to come to NZ for a visit.
Happy TT
February 21st, 2008 at 6:40 am · Link
Sounds like an amazing time away. Thanks for sharing. Happy T13!
February 21st, 2008 at 6:44 am · Link
It looks beautiful there. I’ve always wanted to visit NZ. One of these days we will.
February 21st, 2008 at 6:50 am · Link
Sounds awesome. Love the pictures too.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:21 am · Link
Wow, I learned a lot!
February 21st, 2008 at 8:22 am · Link
What a great place. I doubt I’ll ever get over to that side of the world, but if I do, I’ll be sure to visit.
February 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am · Link
Interesting facts! When I think NZ, I totally think LOTR!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
February 21st, 2008 at 9:50 am · Link
We aren’t traveling right now – so it’s delicious to see a new place. Thanks so much for sharing. New Zealand sounds absolutely wonderful.
Happy TT
February 21st, 2008 at 10:20 am · Link
Oh number 8 would be an awesome experience. Sounds like the whole trip was fun.
February 21st, 2008 at 11:03 am · Link
Sounds like you had a great trip! Happy TT!
February 21st, 2008 at 12:55 pm · Link
I love it when you write about New Zealand. I don’t know much about it and I always learn something.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:59 pm · Link
Looks awesome, babe. One day, hopefully, I’ll get there!
February 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm · Link
Sounds like you had fun exploring Wellington – looks like an exciting place to visit!
February 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm · Link
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Happy TT.
February 21st, 2008 at 1:54 pm · Link
Oh it looks like a lot of fun, I wish I could go there…
Happy T13
February 21st, 2008 at 2:38 pm · Link
It was a lot of fun. Hubby and I have done a lot of overseas travel – in fact, we’re planning our next trip, but it’s great to explore our own country. Air Fares are so much cheaper than they used to be it’s a crime not to take advantage! That’s my excuse anyway.
February 21st, 2008 at 4:54 pm · Link
How beautiful Shelly!! It’s high up on my list of places to visit some day.
Thanks for sharing. =)
Happy TT.
~Gwen
February 21st, 2008 at 5:40 pm · Link
Oh I totally want to visit! How cool is the beehive!
February 21st, 2008 at 6:12 pm · Link
You look marvellously relaxed in that last shot. Sounds like a great weekend – thanks for taking us along!
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm · Link
Hi Shelley,
I was delighted to see your comment in my journal. Thanks so much for visiting. I’m glad you did as if gave me this opportunity to see your new journal. I used to visit your BN journal a long time ago. I had to stop journaling awhile, but am back now…
I love your journal. It’s chocked full of beautiful pictures and interesting info on places of wonder.
I’ll be checking by again real soon.
Wishing you a wonderful week end!
:)
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm · Link
Hi Dee – I thought it was you! It’s great to meet up with you again.