Even thought we spent a long weekend on Moorea at the beginning of the trip it was fun to revisit in a totally different situation. [JIM: The Belvidere overlook was spectacular!]
We had a major confusion and hassle getting back to the ship. We had told the ship that we were disembarking when we got to Tahiti that evening. When we got back on board from our Moorea tour the identification machine rejected us and security would not let us board the ship! Apparently they had crossed us off the passenger roster in the morning rather than the evening! We had to go through a whole rigamarole before we became legitimate again.
[JIM: We were able to get a group shot of the trivia regulars who showed up pretty faithfully all the 10 days of our cruise. It was a very nice - and smart - group of people. Trivia seems to be somewhat popular here in NZ as I write this. The flights between Auckland and Wellington on Air NZ had trivia questions running on the TV the entire time (except when the travel safety video - a major digression worth another posting - was playing).
After dinner we got off the ship in Tahiti to catch a 2:00 AM flight to Auckland, New Zealand. [JIM: Ugh!] We had to wait almost an hour for our transfer limo but finally got to the airport and then on the plane to New Zealand. Got to Auckland (after losing a day by crossing the International Date Line) JUST in time to get our plane to Wellington. Being in a wheel chair helped here. They gave us a lot of extra consideration.
Getting to Wellington was a real shock. It was cold, rainy and windy, and after the tropical weather we had been enjoying, I was convinced I was not going to like it. Our friends Barb and Art and their daughter Lucy met us at the airport, which I didn't expect. Pleasant surprise! They have a really efficient bus system and we caught one from the airport almost to their apartment. Wellington has a lovely harbor and it being the day after Guy Fawkes Day there were still lots of fireworks going off around the harbor. We had dinner at a fish restaurant right on the harbor.
The next day the weather improved considerably as did my impressions of Wellington. We went touring around on city buses. Wellington has a really vital downtown. It is the national capital as well as having a few universities which adds to the city's vitality.
I have been really out of shape with the after effects from my surgery. Walking has been a problem but is exactly what I need to do. So when we were not riding a bus we were walking but stopping every few blocks to let me sit and rest my back and right leg. I was being pushed a little by my 'buddies' but again, it was the thing to do and as the time has progressed so has my back and leg.
After a year-long search and many failed deals, Barb and Art have a house under contract. We went by to see it on Sunday after church services and were quite impressed with its neighborhood and views. I noted that they would have a dedicated guest
room!
The next day we later had a ride on the city cable car and then a walk (downhill) through the botanical gardens where we had lunch. [JIM: Dick's photos added for your viewing pleasure]
Downtown Wellington (can't believe how clean everything is! no litterbugs in Wellington)
The cable car that runs from the Lambton Quay to the top of the Botanical Gardens. A popular mode of transportation as well as tourist attraction.
In the botanical garden:
This photo does not do justice to the size of the ferns:
At the Te Papa Tongarewa museum in Wellington, a Maori marae (temple/meeting house):
On our way to the airport Tuesday morning, a quick shot in front of the Cuban embassy (much more open/approachable than the US embassy, alas):
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