January 24th–Rude Awakening and Wellington

At about 4 a.m. Anna and I were jolted out of bed by a piercing alarm blaring throughout Lake Ferry.  The rain outside was pouring against the windows stronger than ever, and I could hear the nearby ocean pounding against the bank, so in my half-conscious state I was convinced that the town was flooding.  After I started screaming that we were in danger, and we left our cabin to investigate the park, Anna met a woman who nonchalantly shrugged off the alarm, saying it was just -

“The Fiber Gate.”

“Fiber Gate?”

“Yeah!”

At this point Anna and I were both wide awake.  We pondered what “fiber gate” could possibly mean while we packed up our car and checked out of the holiday park. 

It wasn’t until we mentioned the alarm to the host of the park that it all became clear – “Damned Fire Brigade”

We made the early misty morning drive to Wellington, the capitol city of New Zealand, and arrived at our hotel before the city woke up.  The only people we saw on the streets appeared to be stumbling home after a long night out. 

 

Out hotel in Wellington was a funny little Victorian building called The Corillon.  Perched on the side of the hill overlooking Wellington the hotel looks like it was built in the 1800s.  Based on the Lonely Planet Guide’s description of the hotel as being “chaotic in a Fawlty Towers kind of way”, Anna and I rushed to make reservations.  We were not disappointed.  Our bed was plenty comfortable, the room was clean, and most importantly we could take a hot shower in something that didn’t resemble a bathroom stall (and didn’t require quarters).

After washing up at the hotel and catching a couple of winks we made our way down to the Te Papa museum of New Zealand.  There has definitely been a lot of money poured into this structure.  Lots of flash and jazz.  Unfortunately it felt more like a theme park and wasn’t as informative as the museum in Auckland.  Although, the colossal squid that they have on display is absolutely amazing!

From the museum we walked to the parliament building, also known as The Beehive.  Say what you will about the architecture; it definitely sets itself apart from other capital buildings.

 

Why exactly do they have the Cowardly Lion standing guard over the capitol?

From the capitol we drove to Mt. Victoria and hiked to the viewpoint at the top. 

What a gorgeous view!

 

And this view?  Not so much.