Wellington

Day 1 Wellington

In the morning, I started my day luxuriously by the sink. I packed my stuff and off I went, without breakfast and without much water, which I regretted later. First, I went to the airport lookout, which was super cool as planes took off right in front of me, but you can actually see them from every perspective in the city. Then I went to Lyall Beach, which was beautiful, with so many dogs bathing there. Afterwards, my plan went awry; I walked forever into the city because I didn't want to take a bus (mindset: I can do everything on foot right now, bullshit, I was dead by evening). The plan was to go shopping, and I actually got a very early birthday gift because it’s much cheaper here, a vlog camera. I had this in my mind for so long, and now I have it in my hands, I’m incredibly happy, thanks again :)

Then, to completely wear myself out, I walked through the Mt. Victoria tunnel and then, as you might expect, up Mt. Victoria. It was okay; it wasn't that high, but I had such a cool view over the city and the sea, a 360-degree panoramic view. On the way, I made a few stops on nice benches and then went down to Oriental Bay. A mega beautiful beach with the skyscrapers in the background. I then walked back along the sea to the camp, and the wind was already blowing before, it's quite windy in Wellington anyway. But on the way, I almost got blown away; it was really hard to keep my balance, I tell you. That was funny at first, but eventually, it got annoying and I still had many kilometers ahead of me. After some time and two blisters later, I was at the car. I later got food for dinner because I can’t cook here.

So then sleep, and we move on with

Day 2 Wellington

I woke up very early due to the enormous wind, which made me not want to leave the car at all because it was very, very windy. So I crocheted a bit and finally left around 10, first going to the library since my phone and power bank were empty. I was in the library for about 2 hours taking care of important things, like booking my flight home. It’s a crazy feeling, I can tell you, a huge joy about going home but also sadness that it’s ending, of course. But the excitement about going home clearly outweighs everything right now. I urgently needed an SD card for my new camera and got one. On the way, I finally tried one of those famous pies. It was butter chicken. Yes, the pie is just puff pastry in a mini cake form, filled with chicken and sauce, but honestly, it was good, and for 3€, I understand the hype. Then, of course, I filmed the first video with the new camera, I love it completely, I tell you. Oh, and I finally got a book that I had wanted for a long time and then was at Lyall Beach. I sat there, watched the planes, surfers, and many dogs playing and bathing, it was just really lovely. I wanted to go to the library again for another 2 hours, but I stood in front of the door at 4 PM. When do they close? Yes, right, at 4 PM :)

Well, I just walked around more; by now, I knew the way to the parking lot by heart, I’m practically a local now, lol. On the way, near the colleges or on sports fields, there were rugby games everywhere, so I watched those; I have no clue about any of it, but it was still nice to watch. Now it’s dinner time, crocheting, reading, and tomorrow is the last day here, but I’m looking forward to less wind and less city, to be honest. But today was a super relaxed perfect day somehow

Day 3 Wellington

Well, it was probably the night with the least sleep; the parking lot was actually great, but there were some people partying during the night, nothing to say against that, but when you arrive at a parking lot with about 30 campers in the middle of the night, please try to be somewhat quiet. And yes, one of them parked next to me, and after opening and closing his car door 20 times, there was finally quiet again. Well, I woke up around 7 and had time anyway. I really wanted to take the bus, but the weather was nice, the sun was out, so I thought, no, I’ll walk. So an hour and a half later, I arrived at the Parliament, where I booked a free tour. I was a bit early, but it started at 10. I thought you weren’t allowed to take pictures, so I didn’t bring my camera, and then they told us they were now trying to let us take pictures. Well, I had my phone with me. Anyway, it was totally impressive to walk through there, and she explained and showed us a lot. The whole thing lasted about an hour, and then I went to the cable car station, where I first spent 12 dollars. The ride was beautiful, it even went through 2 tunnels with disco lighting, such a vibe. I had gotten a snack before, so I had the red velvet cookie with a view up there; it was legendary, I tell you. Upstairs, I explored the botanical garden, and I love stuff like that, it was really beautiful.

After that, I just strolled through Cuba Street and then back to the car. So Wellington is a beautiful city, skyscrapers by the sea with hills overlooking the city, but it’s also extremely windy and so many people, I’m glad to move on.

So the car is ready, 4-hour drive to the next stop. On the way, I finally got to cook again and eat something warm; it was super good, even though it was also windy, taking forever, and the food got cold in 2 seconds, but oh well. I arrived at the camp spot next to a bar on a meadow and tomorrow it’s off to Taumata… the super long place name.

I already miss the South Island so immensely; the landscape is similar but so different. I miss having the huge mountains around me; there are mountains here too, but they are so much smaller and so different, and everything here is so flat. It’s very strange.