day 8 - a day too many

good food but little rest, make me feeling queasy
but not to spoil the trip around Wellington
up to the botanical garden
down to the Parliment building
around 4 storey museum
that's too many km  in one day

briskly walk to the cable car station

a short ride up the hill we saw Lambton Quay below

was misty in the early morning

the ride is more like the funicular train in Penang

At the top it start to rain

so we look around the train museum

and bought more souveniers

as the rain turn to drizzle

we follow the periwinkle trail

admiring the beauty of the woods

also rock garden of Australia

stop at visitor's centre at the treehouse

the rainy spells spoil my mood to explore more
even to swing in the playground
and i'm down with flu
still we walk  leisurely
 to the Lady Norwood rose garden
and another stop for picnic
we waited till sun is out
was entertained by the chatters
from the school children field trip

walk downhill was easy
the path was meandearing and pass by the graveyard
large tombstone of the early settlers was among the bushes
odd enough the kiwis jog uphill  without noticing their ancestors
the poor souls were just history

glad to be in Parliament as its warm and cosy
and secured as we were escorted by the guard
rest our legs while watching video on their history
close my eyes during parliament hearing
we were allowed to watch it from the balcony above
The Beehive is the office for the members of parliament
at the foyer all the flags of the immigrant are gathered
including malaysia and they are aplenty
the guide and  staff were  friendly
tour to the Parliament library was bored with history

Outside the three buildings were outstanding
the Edwardian neo-classic Parliament building
with the spectacular steps and  the modern Beehives
the Victorian Gothic style Parliament Library
the lawn were huge but its a wet day
so we avoid trodding on it
wellington-well worth a capital

my legs ache but there's another attraction
we ride a bus to Te Papa Tongerawa museum
the centre of Art and Maori's culture in NZ
was captivated by the size and unique exhibits
museum experience not to be missed
fantastic display and lots of hands-on stuff

this is the place i want to come again
couldn't get enough for half a day
a couple of days will be fascinating
level 1 - unique wildlife of NZ, level 2 -the Maori's folklore
level 3 -the immigrants stories, level 4 - modern NZ
the national museum that is bold , innovative and interactive

can explore leisurely  at your pace
 a souvenier shop and cafe welcome at the entrance
each floor has restroom and lounge
can have a break or doze off on the soft sofa
but no food is allowed , might spoil the carpet
worth touring but  i'm down with flu ....

4th city- wellington = cardiff in Wales

sightseeing the South Island end at the car rental
got to catch a flight to Wellington by midday

the bird's eye view of Cook Strait was clear
the strong waves below are rough for ships
the long and  narrow strait caused  blowy wind
Wellington is at the latitude of roaring forties
the topsy turvy waves can upset the sediments
at the floorbeds and caused the sea to change colour
taking a ferry is slow and can arouse sea sick
so we just admire the steep cliff  from the air
the straits are said to be among the deepest
and not save for small boats.

we took a taxi ride to hub of Wellington
were welcomed by Nuha's mates at a cosy apartment
nice lofty place above the Chinese restaurant below
the smell of Asean delicacies remind us of home
after lunch we have a stroll in the city

neither hexagon  nor pentagon
wellington own a civic square
tiled with yellow terracota brick
with underground library!
sculpted leaves of several ferns endermic to NZ
suspended 14 metre above its centre

along city-to-sea pedestrian bridge
were several modern art sculptures
use of wood from the ship make it rustic
real artistic with rhyme of poems
beautifully carved here and there

people jogged, walked their dogs
and we strolled to the waterfront
watching the boats bobbled in the quay
just enjoying the evening crispy air
homeward bound the streets were busy
people in black rushing after work
why can't they appreciate other colours?
true to their rugby team-all blacks

Nuha showed her favorite places in town
where she survived for the past 3 years
its second home for her
similar to Cardiff her birthplace
bustling streets near the waterfront
and the Welsh rugby grounds

in Cardiff we live in Riverside
across the river is the stadium
we even  hear the shouts from the fans
during rugby seasons though here all the year round
there was a castle in the park,
here the  historic parliment  building
downhill from the botanical garden

finally we saw Nuha's apartment
next to a hill in the heart of the city
designed  like any Asean building
lost in Willis Street near Flagstaff Hill
arrived to the smell of curry
oh! its been a long day
and dinner is just sumptuous
thank you Meme, Dene, Jeni & Farah
making Nuha and us feel at home