Day 33 Friday February 16, 2024, Wellington, New Zealand

Arrival 10:00 All Abroad 18:30 Departure 19:00

Today we are in Wellington the capital of New Zealand situated at the southwestern tip of the North Island.

Like most ports we decide to leave the ship and take the shuttle into the city. We are docked directly across from Wellington's Sky Stadium which was opened in January 2000. It is home to the following sports teams Wellington Phoenix Football Club (soccer), New Zealand's National Football Team, Rugby teams- Hurricanes and Wellington Lions and Wellington Cricket Team.

Our shuttle bus drops us off directly across from New Zealand's Parliament Buildings. What struck me was the lack of security on the grounds and the ability of people to walk freely. There are four buildings which make up New Zealand's Parliament, these include Parliament House, Parliament Library, Bowen House, and the Beehive.

The Beehive houses the offices of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers.

Leaving the Parliament Grounds we make our way to the waterfront walkway. This has been redeveloped to include shops and restaurants where previously old derelict buildings stood.

If someone has only a day in Wellington, then a visit to the National Museum is a must. Known as Te Papa, (Māori for treasure box) it is a free museum which opened in 1998 after merging with the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery. The building has five floors (levels) to explore. A whole day is necessary to see all the Museum has to offer.

One of the exhibits at the museum highlights the Gallipoli Campaign from February 1915 to January 1916, an Anglo-French operation against Turkey. It was intended to allow safe passage through the Dardanelles channel and to occupy Constantinople (now Istanbul). More information can be found searching for Gallipoli on the internet.

This exhibit was very well documented and disturbing at the same time. It described how the army corps of New Zealand and Australia (known as ANZAC) became part of the conflict. Both countries celebrate Anzac Day to honor the fallen soldiers on April 25. This marks the date when the army corps landed at Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915. One disturbing chart reported the total deaths in the conflict at 130,842 ((New Zealanders -2,779, Australians - 8,709, Indians - 1,358, Newfoundlanders - 49 (were not part of Canada yet) French - 10,000, British & Irish - 21,255 and Ottomans - 86,692).

At the shuttle we were thankfully provided with a map of Wellington as we didn't find a lot of signs in the city including the lack of street signs. Perhaps they think everyone has a phone but most tourists like us don't have roaming packages.

Leaving the museum Janice and I wanted to walk up to the botanical gardens and the top of the mountain where the cable car went for a lovely view of the city. We had trouble seeing the cable car as it was mostly underground with 3 tunnels which we found out when we took it back down. It was only a 25-minute walk up but we found it a little tiring because of all the stairs although it was great exercise after our delicious Thai lunch.

As we leave Wellington, we are also leaving the North Island. It is now onto Christchurch on the South Island 160 nautical miles away.

Also in port is the Royal Caribbean Ship Ovation of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean ship is so massive that the ship name, Ovation of the Seas painted on her side is longer than the length of our cabin. LOL