Day 2--Wellington revealed

Wellington cable car

Looking back toward the harbour

Our brunch companion

Named "Blue and Gold"

After walking to the Cable Car and riding to the top, we got off and walked downhill through the Botanic Garden to a restaurant on the bottom.  There we had a wonderful brunch to refuel ourselves for the climb back up the hill.  What a hill, think of San Francisco hills on steroids, but what beautiful scenery, plants and flowers.  It was hot, but not too hot, and there was plenty of shade from glorious old trees, but I was really glad to sit down at the top.

Brush looking up

We then caught a shuttle for Zeelandia.  This is a reserve based around an old reservoir, and completely fenced off so the introduced predators: rats, mice, stoats, cats, possums and dogs, cannot get inside and kill the native fauna.  Randi says it looks just like the brush.  Did not see a kiwi there as they are nocturnal, but did see takaki, tuatara, shags and many LBB (little brown birds).

A tuatara, not a lizard
the beads are for identification

Looking into the brush

Takaki

This was much more walking, but mostly level, with quite a bit paved and shady, so it was not strenuous.  We must have been there for two hours, and could have spent more time there, but had to catch the shuttle back to the cable car so we could get to our hotel.

Theater where LOR Premiers are held.

After a shower and a short rest, we walked to a pub/restaurant the Jim knew about and had a nice dinner.  Took a taxi back to the hotel for a good nights rest.

Body to Soul in 11 steps
Public art in the garden