today we wake up to rain and overcast….not the best conditions to explore Wellington so we motor out towards the west coast through Oriental Bay, Lyall Bay and Island Bay…..within a few minutes from downtown, the communities transform from the beautiful urban harbour town feeling that is Wellington to lazy little harbour villages - the commute to Wellington from them is 10 or 15 minutes but they feel like they are 1000 miles away…..Island Bay was a victim of a combination of king tide (highest possible tide), shortest day of the year, an earthquake and a full moon which has the greatest tidal impact) all occurring at the same time…..the sun was also at its’ furthermost point from the earth - an additional 5million km more than normal position when this occurred….these events all coincided within about 30 minutes and the town which is well back from the shore was hit by tsunami force waves, breaking away roads, tossing ocean debris into driveways and doorways and generally making a serious mess…there was no warning to residents…..I learned all of this from Stavros, a 53 year old Kiwi residing in Island Bay….he was out in the morning checking on his beach sculptures which consisted of various lengths of driftwood balanced on other driftwood or stones in a way which allowed them to tip like teeter totters or twirl…after some lengthy explanations of why the earth is about to fly apart under the ever changing forces of tides and fault lines, we say good by and drive out to the Kapiti Coast…..we were hoping to find more sun but today is not our day so we head back to Wellington.....after a little backpacker kitchen magic, we take a walk in Wellington...the evening is warm and colourful and the town is surprisingly quiet again.....the sunset is less dramatic but provides us with a show.....tomorrow we make our way to Picton......
Island Bay Harbour......
yes, that is a bicycle powered kayak.....oh those Kiwis!!
Jess and Cathy in front of a house - not a real lighthouse - a house....
Linda and Cathy in front of a house with a boat for a balcony.....about 5 minutes later, the mayor of Wellington walked past dragging a kayak......
the girls outside of the Backpacker Hotel (used to be the Hotel Waterloo)...
Wellington Harbour.....
this is a Kiwi Bridge, very cool.....
and another.....
the old Wellington Rowing clubhouse.....
collage of architecture near the art gallery....
Wellington sculptures near the gallery....
stingrays in Wellington Harbour - there were orcas in the bay so the rays come into the harbour for safety.....
sun sets on the harbour.....
3 little maids in a bunk bed at the Backpacker Hotel........
Island Bay Harbour......
yes, that is a bicycle powered kayak.....oh those Kiwis!!
Jess and Cathy in front of a house - not a real lighthouse - a house....
Linda and Cathy in front of a house with a boat for a balcony.....about 5 minutes later, the mayor of Wellington walked past dragging a kayak......
the girls outside of the Backpacker Hotel (used to be the Hotel Waterloo)...
Wellington Harbour.....
the old Wellington Rowing clubhouse.....
stingrays in Wellington Harbour - there were orcas in the bay so the rays come into the harbour for safety.....
3 little maids in a bunk bed at the Backpacker Hotel........
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