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Nov 06
Mon

Wellington or our last day on the North Island

We decide to continue our trip to the South Island today and arrive in New Zealand's capital Wellington at 1.00 pm. From here we want to cross over with Bluebridge, according to the informations we got the ferry is more favourable than the Interislander. At first we look for the Bluebridge terminal, which is well signposted when you come from SH1. At first follow the signs Picton Ferry, then Bluebridge. We didn't pre-book, because it's still peak season and we won't mind waiting a day.

The Bluebridge Ferry departs at 3.00 am and 1.00 pm. Of course we want to cruise Cook Strait daytimes. We are lucky and get tickets for tomorrow. It's $288: $190 for the vehicle (price is calculated over vehicle length and height, ours is 6.6 m long, but although we tell them they just charge 6.5 m) + $49 per person.

Now we like to find a carpark which is as nearby as possible and where we can stay overnight. This turns out as completely unproblematic. Along Queens Wharf – where the ferry harbour is situated – are some areas for display parking. We find a spot at Cable Street Carpark, which is situated directly behind the Te Papa Museum, when you come from the ferry harbour. Charge is $10 per day, so we can stay here for $20 until tomorrow when our ferry departs. The city is comfortably accessible by foot.

Wellington – Civic SquareThe Civic Square at Wellington Harbour · more Wellington pictures more pictures

Although the weather is poor we aren't in the mood to visit the museum. We stroll along Cuba Mall and spot the interesting sidewalk Left Bank, where young designers offer their fashions. Ralph gets lost in an alternative and inexpensively cyber cafe. On Cuba Mall height Left Bank is a quite big Irish Pub. We order wedges, garlic bread, beer of course; and warm up. They have a screen where they show rugby. In the middle of the match a musician begins to build up his equipment right in front of the screen. The All Blacks get faded out and there's live music instead what is fine but not under these circumstances, and you can see some people are slightly pissed off ;-)

The result is that the pub is getting empty and we want to go into another pub with rugby on the screen what turns, against our expectations, out as kind of difficult. We try in Courtenay Quarter which is popular for its bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and theatres. Of all things we wind up in a coolish, uncomfortable sports bar. Unfortunately we don't realize that they have no broadcasting rights for the match until we've already ordered two beers. We drink (too) fast and get tired, so we head for our bed at the harbour and despite bright lanterns and passing cars we have a deep sleep.

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