We have been chillin in Wellington for the past few days. Chilling is the word: It is COLD. And WET. We are heading south and it is the dead of Winter. I am not sure how much closer to Antarctica I’ll be able to stand. We have picked up some essentials for the campervan experience. Wellies. The style here is ankle length slip-ons. In UK we were told we’d need wellies. I said “what’s a ‘welly’”. Now I call these boots “wellies” event though in NZ, they call them “gum boots”. Bottom line, they are essential for camping. I am sure they will get lots of use tramping (hiking) in this weather too.
I really like Wellington and could stay longer, although a few rainless, windless days would have been nice. Wellington is a really cute town. It is the capital, but far from the largest city in New Zealand. It is a lot like Sacramento in that respect. Also like Sacramento, it became the capital because the government thought they needed to be located near the gold. New Zealnd had a gold rush about the same time California, and Australia did. But of all cities to compare Wellington too, San Francisco is a close likeness. There were some earthquakes here about 100 years ago. The architecture in Wellington is a mix of darling Victorians and cool art deco, with some big buildings mixed in. There are a lot of really cool stained glass transoms in store fronts and homes that have survived time and earthquakes. I have been dazzled by the architecture here in Wellington. New Zealand modern architecture for the most part is not much to look at; is very pragmatic: lots of corrugated steel roofs, and siding. Lots of roofs are flat so homes sometimes look a lot like shipping containers. Sometimes they were shipping containers in a previous life. A lot of them are prefab too. Wellington is really hilly, like San Francisco. The people are a lot like San Franciscans too.
Wellington’s big claim is the best coffee in all the country. They would probably say in the southern hemisphere. They always say that. Sounds like half the world. But really, there is very little civilization in the southern hemisphere besides Australia and New Zealand. Beer is big here in Wellington too, but we have been skipping the beer trail. Beer in New Zealnd is expensive; wine is cheap. The beer is fine, but the wine is fantastic. We just came from Martinborough which is a pinot noir jewel. Not the biggest Pinot region in New Zealand, but a different climate – kind of like Oregon vs Santa Barbara styles.
Today, weather permitting, we take our campervan on the interisland ferry to the south island where we will spend a week or so in my favorite wine area: Marlborough. Our time frame is open-ended for obvious reasons. This ferry crossing is going to be scary. The straight is rough always (I did not know that before we decided to do this). The cars are fastened down with bars to keep them from tipping or hitting each other. They are already saying they may have to cancel due to gale force winds expected. We are just waiting to see. So keep us in your thoughts.
Pictures include a takahe (blue wingless bird with a red beak). Why this bird does not get the attention of the kiwi, I don’t know. Pretty and yummy Kiwi fruit.
Wish us luck today
Stranded Nomads, Kim and Mark
Although I knew you were adventurous, maybe I can admit that your adventures are beyond what I could imagine! Thank you for sharing your journey. Kim, I had no idea what you were up to! I’m so happy for your happiness. In the process of reinventing your lives/life, I believe you may have found your true selves. Congratulations. Stay safe.