Tuesday, 15 November

Napier, NZ

I owe my readers an apology for messing up the dates of the past several entries--but from today they will now move forward correctly (I hope). As I write this it is Tuesday and I am indeed in Napier, another city devastated by a major earthquake. At 10:47am on 3 February 1931, a tremor lasting over 2.5 minutes (incredibly long for the earth to move), struck the Hawkes Bay and Napier area, killing 256 inhabitants. The earthquake was followed by a fire that lasted several days and destroyed almost every building in this small city.

To recover and to create a unique place that people from around the world would want to see, Napier was restored in "Art Deco" style, developed in France in the late 1920s. But you will have to wait a while for photos, since I first need to take you through the two days the Westerdam was docked in Wellington.

Sunday, 13 Nov 2022

Arriving in Wellington, New Zealand

Since I have already introduced you to the weather and the water in Wellington Harbour, I will get right to my first day's shore excursion, which gives me another half-day with New Zealand's sheep and their organizing dogs.

From the Westerdam, docked in the commercial port since the Queen's Wharf cruiseport is not able to handle larger ships, the tour bus hugs the shore of the harbor as we circle north and east. The ride lasts for over an hour and takes us almost to the very end, where the shoreline opens into the Cook Strait and two lighthouses stand guard. 

The road curves around a series of bays and inlets until we reach Pencarrow Lodge in the hills above the harbor. This is an area of sparse population, large sheep stations, and new dairy and fruit farms.

Pencarrow Lodge is the spacious home of a young sheep herder, his wife, and his dogs. Like the visit to the sheep station near Christchurch, today's excursion allows us to visit the family, enjoy home-made treats, admire the beauty of the surroundings and learn a little more about the process of turning wool into money. This farm also has a small vineyard that helps the family supplement their income.

 

The herder introduces us to his dogs and shows off how they work with the sheep, like yesterday, at the command of his whistle.

On the return drive to Wellington's CBD we stop for a closer look at the lighthouse that sits at the edge of the large harbor.

Before returning to the ship later in the afternoon, I elect to spend time walking about the Wellington CBD and waterfront.

"The Beehive":  Offices of Members of Parliament (1982)

Old Government Building:  Largest Wooden Construction
Still in Use in the Southern Hemisphere (1876)

Railway Station Main Hall (1937)

Railway Station Exterior (1937)

Public Restrooms (Above and Below)

Queen's Wharf Waterfront

Harbour Board Offices (1896)

Post-Modern Wharewaka Function Centre (2011)

Historic Boat Clubs (1894, 1896)

Entrance to Museum of New Zealand / Te Papa Tongarewa (1998)

Colorful Private Boat Sheds (1905, 1922)

The Hills of Wellington, with Rows of Two- and Three-Story Houses
Often Remind Visitors of San Francisco

A free shuttle service awaits to take me back to the commercial port and the waiting Westerdam. Tomorrow morning I am scheduled for a tour of the city that will allow for time in the National Museum / Te Papa (pictured above).