Wellington

Caught the bus. A 3.5 hour journey.
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. This is where we will catch the ferry to Picton on the South Island. The crossing takes over 3 hours, and it can get quite rough.... Mike can't wait, he has been known to get seasick in the bath!!

Wellington is quite hilly. It rise's steeply from the quaysides and harbour. It boasts one of the steepest streets in New Zealand.
Yvonne could not wait to find it, much to Mike's joy!! (not).

Staying in what used to be a grand, Art Deco hotel. Right on the quaysides. A mere stones throw from the ferry terminal.

The hotel is now a 'backpacker's place'. Get a room for two for about £30 a night. Has a bar, a big communal kitchen where you can prepare your own meals,and a canteen.

Place is clean and tidy and central to Wellington. 

Much to Mike's relief did not have to walk up the very steep hill (think 45° incline), there is a funicular railway that goes to the gardens at the top, which looks down over Wellington. 

Apart from that it is just like any other city. So had a few beers, played some pinball and some pool, and went to bed to catch the morning ferry to Picton. Moving from there straight to Nelson, after picking up a hired car. 

Leave you with some pictures. The backpacker's place, going down on the funicular railway through a lit tunnel, view from the top, the top of museum, on the ferry leaving Wellington.