Another day in Wellington

The day started cloudy, so we went again to the Museum, Te Papa. First to the exhibition 'Blood, Earth, Fire', with displays of how New Zealand has gone through change: the almost complete take over of the land from the Maoris; deforestation and cultivation of the land; the killing off of some species of animal and the introduction of many others; the change of exports from almost complete agricultural products to now a much smaller proportion. Startling and dramatic and leaves one feeling somewhat uncomfortable about man's 'progress'.

Then up a level to History. A whole section on the Maoris, which we left aside knowing we would go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds later in our trip. A good exhibition of the history of the settlers. The photo shows the portrayal of a mother chastising her daughter for spending too much of their clothing coupons during WW2.

Also a superb interactive 12 minute film, 'Golden Days'. We sat in a junk shop, first looking out through a window to the street. The proprietor locks up, pulls the blind and we are shown a montage of events over the past 100 years, interacting with items in the junk shop. Very cleverly and effectively done.

Up to another level and an art exhibition including a collection of European art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a snack lunch at the museum. Clodagh stayed on and I walked along the harbour front and then round to the cable car - in fact more a funicular, as it runs steeply up on rails. A good view over Wellington from the top.

 

 

I walked round the botanical gardens at the top, which is on a hilly site restricted by the roads around it and so less impressive than the one in Dunedin. Clodagh was wise not to have come, as she would not have got around it.

 

But she did miss the beautiful rose garden.

Back down on the cable car and a walk round town viewing other dining possibilities from Simon's list, but they were either closed down or untraceable.

 

Robert Cole