Update 4 (07/03)

Arrived in Wellington yesterday; had heard that is quite a happening city - however, after a brief reccy last night am revising that opinion - hope to God that it wakes up on the weekends. The place is called the Windy City (litigation from Chicago is presumably pending) and it's a well-deserved sobriquet. Am staying in an Art Deco building that a young Elizabeth II stayed in - am guessing that she didn't have a dorm room with shared shower and toilet!

Will probably be here until Sunday morning, after which I'll get a ferry over to South Island, which is quieter, but a lot more scenic. Would like to do some sea kayaking in Abel Tasman Bay, and also to go round the Marlborough winegrowing region - especially Cloudy Bay, which is my all-time favourite NZ Sauv Blanc.

Te Papa Carving

Then went to the Wellington Museum (Te Papa), which I had been told was one of the best interactive museums in the world! My breath wasn't bated though, as I feel cheated by the guidebooks building up the quality of Wellington nightlife!  However - sure enough - it was very cool, with a virtual bungy jump, earthquake simulator and extensive Maori collection to savour.

On Friday evening, I watched the Canterbury Crusaders play some SA team - got chatting to a local named Wal, and ended up embarking on a colossal night out with him and his mate Abe (kia-ora boss!) - a repo man with a beast of a Japanese sports car and a penchant for driving it to the limit!

During my stay in Wellington, I also had to sort out a power of attorney for
the sale of my house back home (Hilldrop Grove). Found myself a lawyer, for whom the word "shyster" could have been invented; had to show him how his document management system worked, and then to point out five typos and the lack of a clause enabling Dad to deal with the proceeds of sale. He had the good grace to look shamefaced about it, but that didn't stop him from charging me $85 (35 pounds) for it!

<< Update 3     Update 5 >>