Just like the Art Museum in Canberra, Wellington's Civic Center has a ball suspended above the square. Very nice focal point.
On Sunday, November 4, New Zealand's Parliament Building held an open house - something they do only once or twice a year. A previous post had a picture of the "beehive" dome, within which there is a cafeteria, theatre, ballroom, and various offices for functionaries. This is the Parliament Building, wherein the Prime Minister, the equivalent of our Cabinet, and various elected officials have offices and meeting rooms. No photography by visitors was allowed inside, for security reasons, but there were official photographers wandering around. Somewhere in the archive of that day is a picture of me staring at framed documents hanging on a wall - posed by one of the official photographers.
At the opening of the doors, there was an official greeter.
There was also an official Cryer, reading the proclamation declaring the "house" open.
WANGANUI
On to Wanganui (Wong-ah-NOO-ee). A view from the hill at the north end of town.
A refurbished paddlewheeler. Unfortunately, coal-fired and very smelly.
The very nice history museum. As I said, it seems every community, no matter how small, has a museum.
The Sergeant Art Museum, built with donated funds and housing quite a nice selection of New Zealand art. That's the southern tip of the Tararua Range in the background. It runs NE to SW, so this is an "end shot."
TARANAKI
Taranaki was a great side-trip and well worth the time. This mountain rises 2518 meters (8262 feet) almost from sea-level, and is about 25 km from the sea, due to it's own past eruptions. The deposits raised the land above the sea, you see. This mountain has erupted and then collapsed at least 5 times in 250,000 years. The last eruption was 250 years ago, and it is overdue for another. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Taranaki
View from my lodging window.
View from town.
The hike around part of the base was wet that morning. That's why they call it a rain forest.
View from closer.
A hut was moved to the mountain to create a lodging for trampers. The hut was used by the local militia to combat the Maori, and is made of 3/8 inch thick wrought iron, which is not really made any more, I'm informed. The firing slits have been covered, but this hut is still notorious with the native people. They discourage climbing to the peak because this mountain was named after one of their great chiefs, and it is believed that his spirit now inhabits the mountain. To climb it is to stand on his head, which is to insult the chief's intelligence.
NAPIER
Napier was virtually destroyed in a major earthquake in 1931. The local museum has a film of interviews with survisors, along with still photos of the destruction. The city was rebuilt because it is a major port for New Zealand, and is now known as "The Art Deco City." Nice black-sand beaches and fantastic for surfing. But not much else to do.
Guess what one of their major exports is?
Napier got into the spirit of Lord of the Rings when it premiered in the city. Gollum eats ice cream?
I stayed at the local prison, which has been converted to a backpackers lodge. If you ever visit this city, take the tour and stay somewhere else. It was old (duh!) and impossible to open the cell doors quietly.
The humor of the owners is very droll. This is "The Hanging Yard." There were 5 hangings at the prison, and at least one of those executed is buried on the grounds. Creepy.
MOUNT MAUNGANUI
This is why they call this town "The Mount." You can walk around it or climb to the top.
Nice beaches, but if you don't surf there isn't much to do.
ON THE WAY TO AUCKLAND
The Mount Bruce Wildlife Center would have been a nice tour if we hadn't had to stop and change buses in Masterton. Ours had a large gash in the roof because the driver ran the bus into a concrete overhang as he was making a tight turn in Wellington, about a week before. We did get to see some of the wildlife, however.
A tuatara, the only beaked lizard in the world and endangered. There is much effort being put into ensuring its survival. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuatara
The tekahe was thought to be extinct until a colony was discovered, recovered, and now being raised to increase their numbers - much as with the California Condor. I'm not sure whether you can tell its size, but it's about the size of a chicken.
The Tui Brewery! For $2NZ, you get admission to their bar and 3 (!) pints.
This picture was taken BEFORE the 3 pints. Honest.
1 comment:
Great, I really enjoyed this!!
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