Postcards from the Road: Wellington to Wanganui

Friday, 13 March 2015
Wanganui, North Island — New Zealand

From Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, we headed north along the west coast of the island.  Our destination: Wanganui … also spelled as Whanganui.  The city, we were told by the proprietor of our motel, was once considered as an alternative site for the country’s capital.

Before leaving Wellington, we searched out and found a memorial to Atatürk, the founder of modern day Turkey.  Why would there be a memorial to him here in New Zealand?  Let’s just say that it all goes back to the World War I Battle of Gallipoli.  More on that when I write the story of our day.

The words inscribed here are translated from a speech Atatürk gave in
honor of the ANZAC soldiers who fell during the Battle of Gallipoli.

Once on the road to Wanganui, we made a couple of stops ... nothing really planned; just wherever the mood struck or where something interesting caught our eye.

Lunch on Otaki Beach.

Foxton is filled with colorful murals that enchant me.

Postcards from Wellington

Thursday, 12 March 2015
Wellington, North Island — New Zealand

Notorious for having high winds, Wellington gave us comfortable breezes that tempered the heat from the sun shining bright overhead.

A cable car ride up to the botanical gardens to start our day; a visit to the Te Papa Museum to end our day; wine and snacks for dinner on our terrace to wrap up a great day.

The Wellington Cable Car transfers us from Lambton Quay …

to the top entrance of the Botanical gardens … with a view of Wellington as a bonus.

Mui having fun with the dual camera on his Samsung Galaxy phone.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden

The Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings is
affectionately known as the Beehive.  Can you guess why?

Postcards from South Island to North Island

Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Wellington, North Island — New Zealand

Having completed four weeks of exploring South Island, today we crossed over from Picton to Wellington to begin exploring North Island.  Our mode of transport — the Interislander Ferry.

The Cook Strait, notorious for being stormy, was kind to us ;-)

The Aratere at the ferry dock in Picton.

Our terrace room at Gourmet Stay in Wellington — a nice place to relax at the end of the day.