26th-30th Day - From Mordor to Wellington

After the quite exhausting march through the rocky desert, we decide to take a quieter day and spend most of the day (300 km) in the car. From Raetihi we go via Paraparaumu to Porirua (resonant names) opposite the picturesque Kapiti Island, where instead of the promised donkeys at the campsite, some homeless globetrotters greeted us. (Quote, Martin: "Where are you guys from?" - "From nowhere, we are homeless!" - "Ah, nice, so you are travelling around!?" ;) Faux pas alert!

Without great expectations of Wellington, we are already drawn to the Capital City of New Zealand with the early traffic. Since we were not particularly impressed by Auckland, we hoped that the much smaller city of Wellington would not offer more than the usual small towns where only shopping mood may arise (cf. Arena am Waldfeld, Center West). But no! With the freely accessible botanical garden with tropical plants and a beautiful view of the skyline of the port city, Wellington already conquers our hearts. And when the castle mountain train 2.0 suddenly chugs past us, or when a seal appears in the middle of the harbor, we are done for. Free admission to the Te Papa Museum with insights into Maori culture and the history of New Zealand, numerous cafés and restaurants in the city center, a lively harbor district, the finest sandy beach in the middle of the city, designer shops and galleries, a mountain in the city with a picture-perfect view, the Weta film studios (Avatar, Lord of the Rings, King Kong...), just to mention a few examples of what Wellington has to offer. Wellington - a colorful mix of Copenhagen, Côte d'Azur, Barcelona and Graz!

With the emerald green sea and the salty breeze still on our faces, we leave the city after two wonderful days, which showed itself from its best side (not as usual with strong winds). Early in the morning we take the ferry three hours across the Cook Strait to the South Island to Picton. This way we escape the approaching rain and find ourselves in the midst of turquoise bays and tall, wooded mountains.

Now it's time to explore the Marlborough Sounds (no, cigarettes are not produced there). The next stop will definitely be Abel Tasman National Park, where we want to go kayaking in search of seals.

We hope to keep you up to date on the South Island as well, but here we only have limited access to electricity and the internet (which is also something nice, isn't it?)

Hugs and kisses!