A little lighter update today - lots of driving and indoor time. The whole drive down was really pretty - you'll have to take my word for it, I didn't take any photos from the road. Rain was with us on and off throughout. Started with Lake Taupo - beautiful and large with a few islands. Then we went through forests followed by open grassy hills (like California, but green as if rain were normal). Lastly, we followed a long series of sandstone (lighter yellow colored) ridges until we reached the coast. At the coast, it was really stunning, kid of like Morro Bay, California. It was late lunchtime, so we checked into the hotel and went out for lunch. Initial impression is that this city looks and feels more like a small Seattle than San Francisco. The waterfront definitely has a Seattle feel. In other news, we're right near Victoria University - maybe we can find a t-shirt. We're also near parliament.
Victoria was pretty easygoing, but when we got to the hotel, she made it clear that she wanted to go to the pool. We (I) had to eat first and we found a German Bierhaus "Munich" (with a kids menu). The walk to and from was chilly and windy. Before getting to the pool, we FaceTimed with mommy. Or at least we tried to. Technology is better than it was last time I tried a trip like this, but not perfect. She was pretty energized to be in the pool.
We did one last walk around town looking for dinner. It's still very Seattle, maybe a little Portalandish. Half way through, she got sleepy so we never did get dinner, but we did get better pictures, including a 2-story slide. Funny thing, Wellington has a full-on Oktoberfest going (I checked, adults only so we walked on by). Nothing like an oompah band playing "Waltzing Matilda" - yeah, I thought that was Australian too, but they were playing it and people were singing, so maybe it's universal (around here). Last thing I saw there was parliament - sorry the photo is nothing special. Holding an almost-asleep child over one shoulder, pulling out a phone, crossing the street as the light changes... the set-up was not ideal.
Tomorrow is going to be a full day: we take the Ferry across to the South Island, then drive down the East Coast to Christchurch.
Victoria was pretty easygoing, but when we got to the hotel, she made it clear that she wanted to go to the pool. We (I) had to eat first and we found a German Bierhaus "Munich" (with a kids menu). The walk to and from was chilly and windy. Before getting to the pool, we FaceTimed with mommy. Or at least we tried to. Technology is better than it was last time I tried a trip like this, but not perfect. She was pretty energized to be in the pool.
We did one last walk around town looking for dinner. It's still very Seattle, maybe a little Portalandish. Half way through, she got sleepy so we never did get dinner, but we did get better pictures, including a 2-story slide. Funny thing, Wellington has a full-on Oktoberfest going (I checked, adults only so we walked on by). Nothing like an oompah band playing "Waltzing Matilda" - yeah, I thought that was Australian too, but they were playing it and people were singing, so maybe it's universal (around here). Last thing I saw there was parliament - sorry the photo is nothing special. Holding an almost-asleep child over one shoulder, pulling out a phone, crossing the street as the light changes... the set-up was not ideal.
Tomorrow is going to be a full day: we take the Ferry across to the South Island, then drive down the East Coast to Christchurch.
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