Wellington

Up bright and early (for the Lomasney's) to return the campervan to Wellington. Stopped off on the way to visit a Settlers village museum in Greytown - well worth the effort as it gave a real feel of life in the early, pioneering days. Quite a protracted journey to Wellington as we had to negotiate a tortuous range of twists and turns, but stunning views.

We arrived to find that we had booked an apartment in a wacky but brilliant hotel. The hotel was purchased on a short lease by Chris Parkin in 1990. A few years later the government were to reclaim the land so he moved the whole hotel by way of railway tracks across the other side of the road where it now stands! In its own right the hotel contains an art collection which is quite eclectic and amazing in equal measures.

The hotel is close to the quay and city and opposite the main NZ museum. Visited the museum which was very extensive covering the scientific and historic aspects of local and national heritage which we enjoyed very much. Ended up down by the waterfront in the evening - Queens Wharf and had some great seafood.

Day 2 in Wellington - Waitangi day - a national bank holiday to mark the treaty to make New Zealand part of the British Empire and guaranteed Maori rights as British subjects. It was also the start of the Rugby 7's hosted in Wellington and celebrated by just about everyone and all in fancy dress costume!!

Started by doing a bus tour of Wellington to give us a good feel of the city and returned to visit Wellington's oldest pub (honestly it had some historic memorabilia!), travelled the cable car to an amazing viewpoint over the city and returned via the beautiful botanic gardens. Luckily there is protected greenbelt throughout Wellington and it makes for a refreshing city of both city skyline and forestry.

Ended the day on the quay for dinner and 'people watching' the New Zealanders in their costumes as they celebrated the rugby sevens/bank holiday; some crazy and on occasion, wild costumes. Turned into a carnival atmosphere and yes we did get involved, dancing on the quay / streets but decided to leave as our dancing flip flops were beginning to get sticky on the floors and many of the locals were past their best!!

Had a great time in the North with some brilliant memories but now it's time to move on to the South Island.