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Nov 06
Mon

Wellington or our last day on the North Island

We decide to continue our trip to the South Island today and arrive in New Zealand's capital Wellington at 1.00 pm. From here we want to cross with Bluebridge, according to the information we got the ferry is cheaper than the Interislander. At first we look for the Bluebridge terminal, which is well signposted when you come from SH1. First, follow the signs for Picton Ferry, then Bluebridge. We didn't pre-book because it's still peak season and we don't mind waiting a day.

The Bluebridge Ferry departs at 3.00 am and 1.00 pm. Of course we want to cruise Cook Strait during the day. We are lucky and get tickets for tomorrow. It's $288: $190 for the vehicle (price is calculated over vehicle length and height, ours is 6.6 m long and although we tell them they only charge for 6.5 m) + $49 per person.

Now we want to find a carpark which is as nearby as possible and where we can stay overnight. This turns out to be completely unproblematic. Along Queens Wharf – where the ferry harbour is situated – are some areas for display parking. We find a spot at Cable Street Carpark, which is situated directly behind the Te Papa Museum when you're coming from the ferry harbour. The charge is $10 per day, so we can stay here for $20 until tomorrow when our ferry departs. The city is comfortably accessible by foot.

Wellington – Civic SquareThe Civic Square at Wellington Harbour · more Wellington pictures more pictures

Although the weather is poor we aren't in the mood to visit the museum. We stroll along Cuba Mall and spot the interesting sidewalk Left Bank, where young designers offer their fashions. Ralph gets lost in an alternative and inexpensively cyber cafe. At the crossing Cuba Mall / Left Bank is quite a big Irish Pub. We order wedges, garlic bread, beer of course; and warm up. They have a screen where they show rugby. In the middle of the match a musician begins to build up his equipment right in front of the screen. The All Blacks get faded out and there's live music instead which is fine but not under these circumstances, and you can see some people are slightly pissed off ;-)

The result is that the pub empties out and we decide to go into another pub showing the rugby, which turns out, against our expectations, to be kind of difficult. We try Courtenay Quarter which is popular for its bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and theatres. Of all things we wind up in a coolish, uncomfortable sports bar. Unfortunately we don't realize that they have no broadcasting rights for the match until we've already ordered two beers. We drink (too) fast and get tired, so we head for our bed at the harbour and despite bright lanterns and passing cars we have a deep sleep.

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