Driving Around

We spent the day on the road checking out the surrounds of the Greater Wellington Region courtesy of our Tikitour guide Helsa. First up was across the top of the sound and up over the "hull" just to turn around and come back over to stop at the view on the top. The day was subject to a northerly breeze. Up here it was strong enough to turn umbrellas inside out and yet still Mary Poppins the holder to a destination somewhere in the Southern Antarctic ocean. Luckily it wasn't raining so the brollies stayed in the car.

A coffee break at an extraordinary eclectic cafe on the waterfront was so retro the retro was retro. An original coffee roaster was actually in full production amidst the hustle and bustle of relaxed locals of Lower Hutt. Off through the city to the southside we circled the headland with mount Victoria lookout on the top. The 360° panoramic view is spectacular, as was the wind picking up the tourists and depositing them in the Cook Straight. The scenic route around the waters edge revealed rock lined coves with pristine waterways with rugged mountains framing the horizon.

Ever more houses perched on cliff tops and waterfronts showing a significant number of locals are living the life that is to be the envy of the majority of the planet. Photo stops aplenty. Around the waters edge we drove and then back up the top of a yet even more impressive mountain with a seriously vertigo inducing wind turbine perched up there. The swooshing blades in the hurricane like breeze made one feel like decapitation was a mere heartbeat away.

After giving a lift to a couple of weary hikers back down the hill we stopped at an avant' guard cafe for refreshments before heading back up the west coast to Waikanai for a sleepover at Adrienne and Mike's. Another fun evening proceeded another fabulous dinner, rounded off by some hilarious local TV black comedy.