Took ages to get to sleep last night. Didn't help that the pillow was way too big and the bed a bit soft. Temperature at least was controllable with the doona cover not being sealed so could push the blankets back.
Woke up at relatively normal time, even though actually two hours early. Got up after a while and got ready then paced while waiting for Stu to get up heh.
Headed out for breakfast. Ended up at Fidel's cafe with a bit of a Cuban theme. I had eggs benedict which wasn't too bad and Stu had waffles with bacon and banana.
Then started walking.
The famous bucket fountain in Cuba Street
We headed for Mount Victoria. While we were on Courtenay Place I saw a bus stop that said route 20 - Mount Victoria. So we looked up a timetable and one was due in a few minutes. So instead of walking to the top we took a bus :)
The view at the top was spectacular. We had such an amazing day for it. Stayed there for a while and watched a bunch of planes take off and land.
View of Wellington from Mount Victoria
View of Wellington from Mount Victoria
The sweetie and I at Mount Victoria on our anniversary
Wellington Airport from Mount Victoria
Wellington Railway Station from Mount Victoria
View of Wellington from Mount Victoria
Walked up to the other lookout a little ways north, but its view wasn't as good.
Wellington from the northern lookout
Then started walking down. It was a bit steep in places, and very pretty in others.
Wellington Airport through the trees from a point just below the main lookout
We enjoyed the pretty walk through the trees on the Southern Walkway on Mount Victoria
Stu on the Southern Walkway on Mount Victoria
Spectacular house at 34 Lookout Road, Roseneath, Wellington
Lower part of the Southern Walkway, just north of Palliser Road
Pretty flower on the Southern Walkway
Took quite a while all up, but eventually ended up down at the waterfront.
Oriental Bay
Oriental Bay
Meandered back towards the city.
The Tail of the Whale sculpture by Colin Webster-Watson
Passed a boat that had been converted into a restaurant and I said maybe we could have dinner there. Stu said we could have lunch. So we did! Got cheesy loaded fries, and salt and pepper squid. Yum.
Boat Cafe
Enjoying a refreshing beverage in the Boat Cafe
Our anniversary lunch - loaded fries with cheese, bacon, fresh herb gravy, and salt and pepper squid
Then kept on walking kept on walking.
Stu in front of the boat sheds
St Gerard's Catholic Church and Monastery
Colourful boat sheds on Oriental Parade
Marina on Oriental Parade
Young gull by the waterside
Police boat cruising into the marina
Te Papa museum
Random piano setup in the street that anyone could play
Wellington Harbour
Te Papa museum and Wellington Harbour
Eventually ended up at the bottom of the cable car, and got tickets to go up ($7.50 each return). It was certainly not as chaotic as the Peak Tram!
Sculpture sign for the Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car arriving at the bottom station
Stu watching the light show on the Cable Car
At the top we had a bit of a wander to look at the view, and had a beer, and looked through the Cable Car Museum
Stu and Kaz and the view at the top of the Cable Car
Wellington from the top of the Cable Car
Old cable car in the Cable Car Museum
Stu on an old cable car in the Cable Car Museum
Wellington Cable Car
Wellington Cable Car and view of Wellington
Then headed down again.
Sculpture in the alley to the Plimmer Steps
Picked up some supplies in Countdown (aka Woolworths) then headed back to the hotel.
Fifteen and a half thousand steps later.. No wonder our everything hurt!
Crashed for a while in the hotel and had showers to freshen up.
Headed out for dinner to the Noble Rot wine bar. Had a couple of glasses of wine while waiting for a table for dinner. Eventually one freed up. Stu got duck and I got venison with osso bucco. Both were amazing, a really good meal. A late but very pleasant evening to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.
Stu enjoying a Pinot Noir at Noble Rot Wine Bar
Bread and chorizo they gave us because we were having such a long wait for a table
The bottle of Quartz Reef Pinot Noir we enjoyed with dinner
The sweetie had Easterbrook Farm Duck Breast with Endive, Mushrooms, Quince, Dashi
I had Silver Fern Farm Venison Denver Leg with Osso Bucco, Parsnip, Pear, Vanilla Onions, Preserved Stone Fruit, Confit Carrot
Accompanying dinner was a lovely salad with goats cheese
We tried a couple of the truffles
Sylvia
The photos of Wellington brought back some memories of my last trip to Wellington. I have a couple of the same photos. Enjoyed sharing your Anniversary Day.