Week twelve: Wellington and the Kapiti Coast

We arrived into the city living up to its name of windy Wellington which made the landing a bit bumpy. We are staying with friends in a suburb and have a bungalow in their garden all to ourselves. Alex's sons arrived on the same day from the UK so we had dinner with them on Cuba Street where they are staying. On Sunday they came up to the house for a meal with the family.
On Monday we explored the city including a ride up on the famous cable car (which is actually a funicular railway) then walking down through the Botanic Gardens. The weather improved as the week went on and the sun was shining for a day out up to the Kapiti Coast for fish and chips by the sea, followed by a drive back through the hills and Hutt Valley.
On Sunday we went to the Te Papa museum which has an amazing section about the natural forces forming New Zealand and it's earthquakes and volcanoes - brilliant for a Geography teacher! Other exhibitions about plants and animals include a preserved colossal squid. There  are also interesting displays about the various waves of migrants who have settled here.
Only one more week in New Zealand before heading back to the UK.