Wellington, NZ

Approximately 100nm (1nm = 2000 yards) from Picton, on a northeasterly course, lies the port of Wellington. Though it could have been an 8 hour sail, we cruise overnight from Picton to our next Port of Call at a relatively slow speed. We pulled in the following morning, but unlike our first three ports, Wellington was another port in which we decided to simply take it easy and explore the city on our own.

We did have an exploration itinerary of sites we wanted to see which included the Cable Car, the Botanical Gardens, the Bee Hive (Parliament Building), and the waterfront to name a few. We've heard so much about Wellington prior to our arrival, but no other name lived up to its reputation than that of "Wellington, the Windy City." It was indeed a windy day which made for a wonderful, pleasant time despite the warm temperatures.

Welcome to Wellington, "the Windy City"!!

Shuttle buses into downtown Wellington were provided. Fortunately for us we were already onboard prior to the long lines of people. Of note: Wellington was the fourth port in New Zealand in which we saw huge storage bins of "racked-and-stacked" logs waiting to be shipped to Asia.
The Wellington Cable Car travels every 30 minutes between downtown Wellington and the Botanical Gardens.

Panoramic ocean view of the Windy City

Panoramic city view of the Windy City

The Wellington Cable Car making its way to the top.

Juan, Rachel, and Ian beginning their day at the Wellington Botanical Gardens.

11:02 A.M. - standing with your back agains the sun and raising your hands straight above your head, Juan's shadow reveals the exact time. IT REALLY WORKS!!! You should of seen the number of kids waiting to do this trick!

Rhapsody of the Seas pierside... Ain't she a beauty!

Rachel's feet at the foot of the pink petals, marking beginning of the Botannical Garden walking route that takes you back down to the main city area.

Ian afoot... checking out the pond ducks inside the Botantical Gardens.

Wellington traffic during the holiday weekend... simply unbelievable!!!

The Bee Hive, the Parliament Building. Here's where Juan should have listened to Rachel, costing them an additional hour and a half walk down to the civic center area.

One of many pier-pylon statuettes along Wellington's waterfront; here sits the "Pondering Man"... perhaps he's looking for fish.

Wellington's waterfront property - hummm, I wonder how much it costs???

Te Papa - the famous Museum of New Zealand. We saw it, walked passed, but didn't stop to go inside it. Rachel's one regret - she should have listened to Juan.

Some of the civic museums and galleries showcasing Wellington's art and culture.

Rachel and Ian holding hands - ahhh, how sweet!!!!

Making our way back to our cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas

Farewell, "Windy City", it was a day-full of adventure - what a beautiful city!