The Capital City!

So, Wellington. First and foremost, I am so glad I went. I almost didn't, because of the plane tickets, but then Jane Cain talked me into it. She is always right. And it's true. Money comes and goes, people.

I flew in on Thursday night and took a cab to my friend Meghan's flat. I lived next door to Meg in our freshman year at Saint Mike's, and she was studying at Victoria University in Wellington this semester. I say "was" because Friday was Meg's last day of classes! Gooo Meg!! (She has a blog, too. You should check it out.)

I was wiped from the music awards, so we stayed in on Thursday night and I met Meg's friends and flatmates. Her flatmate Claire turned 21 at midnight, so we had a toast! Bed by 3 am, you know.

Meg had one class Friday morning, so I slept in a bit and when she got back at 10 am, we headed out toward the Wellington Botanic Garden. Meghan wasn't 100% sure how to get there, so we wandered, which was fine, because it was a beautiful day in the capital city and Lord knows I need the exercise. We stumbled upon the garden about an hour later, and discovered it was stupidly close to her flat... We pretty much circled the city. I got to see more of it that way. :o)

The gardens were beautiful; it's early spring here so we saw tulips in every color and a flock of baby ducks!

After the Garden, we headed toward town via the Parliament complex. I, for one, like the architecture of the controversial Beehive.

We had lunch at Mac's Brewery, the all-natural brewery that makes some of my favorite NZ beers. Unfortunately, they don't give brewery tours, but lunch was so worth it. They have a viewing platform from which you can watch the magic happen, and that was enough for me. And I got to try Sundance, the summer ale!

We walked through the shopping areas in Wellington after lunch. The city is accessible; it's possible to walk from end to end in something like an hour. But... it's so hilly. Meg is obviously in much better shape than I from hiking those hills all semester, and I was definitely huffing and puffing. But it's a great city; much funkier than Auckland, I must say. Also, it has more cafes per capita than New York! I tried four of them in my 48 hours there. Not bad, though I could have done better.

We met Meg's lab partner in the Uni Bar on campus, which was absolutely hoppin' at 5 pm on the last Friday of classes. Then we went back to Meg's flat for dinner. Then, we headed back to the Botanic Garden to go on the glowworm tour!!! Those little friends of mine also make their home in the damp gardens, and it's $5 to walk through after dark with a guide. Luckily, Meg and I were late and for some strange reason, there were legitimately about 60 people on the tour, so we were able to tack on without paying... I would feel guilty if I actually learned anything. Seeing the glowworms again was cool, and Meg hadn't seen them before. But the tour guides were useless; I told Meg about glowworms from what I learned in Waitomo.

After the walk in the park, we headed back to Meg's flat for Claire's 21st birthday celebration!! It was crazy; someone's mom shipped over a package of Solo cups to play beiruit. The Kiwis were really excited about that. The party went late, and then we went out dancing at Boogie Wonderland (seriously). Though I was out til 3 am, and I'm too old for that hour, it was a really fun time and Meg and her friends are fantastic.

When we finally stirred at 11 the next morning, we left to find a supposed farmers' market, which remains elusive. From there, we hiked Mount Victoria, including a swing on the rope halfway up. After the hike, we ate crepes and drank smoothies, mmm. I also bought The Bone People at a used bookshop; perhaps I'll finish it this time.

Hopped on the plane and was back in Auckland Saturday night at 8. What a fantastic weekend!

Tonight was fun, too, in Auckland. It's Amanda's birthday, one of the girls in the BU program. She had a pot luck dinner in her apartment! There was sooo muuuuch gooood fooooood. I made veggie friend rice; it got compliments. Now, I'm essentially in a food coma, so I'm going to bed.