So we spent our first ever New Years Eve away from home in the Windy City of Wellington. We all had a really good night and, as you will be able to see from the photos, I was a little bit worse for ware by the end of the night. We had a drink in our room at the hostel before a couple of swift ones in the hostel bar then into town where we went to a few bars. The atmosphere was really good and it was strange to be some of the first to welcome in the new year.

On New Years Day, we were up earlyish at about 10am and headed to a local park where there was an event on with live music. We sat there for about half an hour before the heavens opened and we had to retreat back to the hostel. The rest of the day was pretty I eventful with the weather not being the greatest.

Today, Thursday, me and Beth paid a visit to the Chinese embassy to see if we will be able to get a visa for China. However, the embassy was closed as they are moving so we still don't know whether we will be able to get to China. After making our way back to the hostel, all four of us went up to Mount Victoria which provides panoramic views over the city. We have found out today why Wellington is called the Windy City and it really is. Wherever you go the wind seems to swirl around and there is no getting away from it.

We are leaving the north island tomorrow as we make our way down to Queenstown for the 8th January. We have really enjoyed our time in Wellington and it is one of the best cities we have visited, mainly due to its compactness and the easy going nature of the people.