Wellington Cable Car + Dinner

We left Turangi and made the 4 hour drive South to Wellington. Monica attempted driving on the left side of the road for the first time. She did well despite a general feeling of anxiety! We passed Mount Ngauruhoe (in LOTR "Mount Doom") on the drive and also pretty scenery. A couple photos:

Upon our arrival, we checked into our hotel and spent the remainder of the day exploring Wellington. We both fell in love with the city immediately! First, we stopped into the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.  Then we mingled in the big social scene at the ocean bay waterfront where people were drinking in the sun, strolling along the waterfront, and jumping off of platforms into the water.  Tons of activity here and fun for all ages. We heard someone say that it was the first warm and sunny weekend day of the entire Summer. (sidenote - this Summer has been known as being a cold Summer overall for the entire country).  Then we rode the cable car up to see the view from the top of the hillside overlooking the city and bay and it did not disappoint. 

Special thanks to: Matt, Emily and Autumn for the cable car and Monica's Grandma, Dodie, for the Wellington hotel stay!

We ended the day eating at a delicious and creative seafood restaurant, Ortega, with this fun wine label (Colere Pinot Blanc). Special thanks to: Natalie, Pierre, Linda and Jeff for dinner!

Today we cross the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry to the South island. More to come!