Yesterday (Friday) was my last full day in Wellington and the weather was going to be above 65 degrees. 67 in fact! I couldn’t believe my luck. I decided to walk over a mile to Mt. Victoria lookout point for some different views of Wellington. The hike wasn’t too strenuous (although it got my heart racing) and I was rewarded with some stunning views of the city. I didn’t realize the runway is surrounded by water. I’m even more thankful for skilled pilots who can make those types of landings.
After the Lookout, I hiked down a different path to Oriental Parade (“parade” is the New Zealand term for “promenade”. “Gherkin” is the word for “pickle”. In case you’re ever, well, in a pickle). The one with the boats is my favorite and I might be getting Mom to touch it up for printing on canvas to hang in my house.
All that hiking really wore me out….so I took a siesta. But not before I nerded out and contacted the Space Place Observatory via email. I wanted to see if the Cooke Telescope would be in operation because I love looking at the sky. And one of my fondest memories was traveling in South America with Danielle and both of us realizing the constellations were upside down and mirror images of the ones we saw back home. I’m quite a lucky girl to see all of this!
After my siesta, I walked to the cable car for a one way ride up the hillside. Or mountain. It didn’t really feel that high up.
Space Place was amaze-balls!!! It was just the right amount of science and even the cheesy video that I paid $12.50 NZD for was really informative. And it was shown in one of those dome theaters that makes you feel really small, and at times dizzy. After the animated movie, we got a detailed tour of the skies from an operator at the museum. She pointed out things to note in the sky and I can now find the southern horizon if I first find the southern cross. Knowing my directional-challenges, I’ll still get lost. Sadly, the telescope wasn’t in operation but I’ll just have to come back.
Me contemplating my place on this planet…
It’s now Saturday and I’m off to Rotorua for my 4th stop. I’m told it smells like rotten eggs (sulphur) so this should be interesting. Adios Wellington!
There She Goes... 