Well, well, Wellington

So, we overspent our budget in Sydney and had to make some last minute travel adjustments. 

Wellington Habbah

It is a very long row across the 'woddah' (Oceaniac for H2O) from 'Straya to New Zealand. Hence the lack of blog posts for the past week. Great tan, great biceps as a result, though, mate. Actually, the Sydney epic is a serious tome that is being worked on and will be featured intermittently {as a bonus posting for all (three) of you complaining about the recent dearth of episodes} during the rest of our trip. Back to our story.

As the flight attendant said as we touched down in New Zealand "Welcome to New Zealand, please set your watches back 25 years". Same is true for Oz, actually. 80's music abounds in all clubs, malls, restos, hotels, etc. There is lack of freneticism which slows the heart rate down just a bit. 

Very Happy Person

Plastic surgery is much less apparent. Which means that the doctors here possess a greater level of skill than elsewhere or people care less about such things. There seems to be less of the #me too movement and eggshell walking that has taken hold of the rest of the planet. And as we get closer, heading west to east toward

Urban Aht

the International Dateline (new version - Do you speak Mandarin; can I buy you a country?) speed and anxiety about world issues diminish. There is less hand wringing and more action with regard to environmental matters. We haven't seen a plastic straw since we arrived and the number of electric vehicles is shockingly high. And where the heck is Old Zealand?

The art scene is strong, local and vibrant, featuring a mix of contemporary art 

as well as traditional Maori works.

With regard to native rights, Australia is dealing with Aboriginal issues in much the same way that Canada is. Lots of apologies for years of mistreatment, forced relocation, regional schools, abuse by priests, etc. The Maori in NZ never suffered similar abuse from the colonizers and are part of the local culture. Signs are posted in English and Maori; jobs and professions are held by those most competent and deserving.

Sculptcha

The art of the Maori is as prevalent as any other form around here. 

Tasmania's conquerors took a bit of a different tack. They slaughtered most every native on the island upon arrival around 1820. Those they missed died from infectious diseases for which they had no antibodies to defend. Nothing like Manifest Destiny, I aways say.



Wellington is a beautiful city. The architecture is diverse and splendid. 

There are numerous new buildings of interesting and intricate design. There are Art Deco and Bauhaus buildings from the 30's 

and there are many structures dating back to early colonial times. 

It is a walking city built around a recently refurbished waterfront, replete with MAC stores, European, American,  and Australian chains. There are local businesses, of course, but they are feeling the pressures of globalization and on line shopping.

Nature abounds. From Orcas and dolphins in the harbour to massive protected areas for birds, plants, animals, and reptiles. Yesterday featured a walk through one of the reserves. The creature below is not a lizard. It is a tuatara. Closer to the crocodile than other reptiles. Good news, bad news - the Tuatara has three eyes, including one on top of its head that can differentiate light from shadow. If a bird of prey circles overhead, the tuatara will scurry away. The bad news - no penis. Personally, I would take my chances with the bird.   

Frank Tuatara

Dino

A delightful Birthday Dinner with the missus.

 We are only concerning ourselves with the north (read warmer) island, despite an overwhelming number of suggestions to visit the southern island. Here are the arguments in favour of visiting the South - colder weather, glaciers, lots of rolling hills covered with forests, sheep, handicrafts, wool factories, fjords. Lots of other similar stuff compared to the country that we have escaped winter from. Pretty compelling, no?

Given my previous adventures with (intentionally) driving on the wrong side of the road, we are about to enter a different and terrifying phase of our journey as we rent a car and head toward Auckland over the next few days. I am considering finding the rowboat.

Foot Powered Wind Instrument (not wearing blue shirt)