History, Architecture, Harbour and Peace

  


Wellington train station.



We made a visit to the Te Papa Museum where they record Maori Culture as well as the history of New Zealand and Wellington. This Maori canoe holds 35 people and they have been known to be large enough to carry as many as 75 people. Next to it is a Maori Meeting House. the wood carvings are just so incredible.

We had several coffee and lunch breaks in a small cafe in the Old Bank building which is now a shopping mall. It has a lovely chiming clock there too.


 View from the 11th floor apartment where I stayed in Wellington. It is so easy to access the whole of central Wellington, and all it has to offer, including a beautiful harbour.







A ride on the Wellington Cable Car was quick (about 5 minutes) but saved a very steep climb to the Botanic Gardens. The cable car was originally opened in 1902. There have been several upgrades and replacement cars over the years. However, in 2019 nearly 1.17 million travellers used the cable car. It is often used now by university students travelling up to the campus site.

At the top of the climb we arrived at the Botanic Gardens and took a slow walk down through the gardens . It was extremely steep in places but was a lot easier going downhill.

There were a few roses left in the Rose Garden but it is autumn/winter now so they will soon be cut back ready for next Spring.





        





This part of the gardens became known by the name of ‘Peace Garden’ after the addition of the peace flame that is housed in a traditional Japanese lantern. The garden today truly lives up to its name ‘Peace’ in other ways as with the stone from Hiroshima City Hall and waterfall in the background.

The lantern was officially accepted by Mayor of Wellington, Michael Fowler, on 6 March 1976 and it was gifted to Wellingtonians by the Japan Society of Wellington NZ. The lantern symbolises the long-lasting friendship between two countries.                              

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