Wellington Day Two

Leisurely 9 am breakfast again. This time our fellow tourists are already at the table, and we discover the reason for the 2am doorbell ringing. It was a taxi turning up to take them for another hospital venture. This time for an eye injury (to the young man, who's originally from Glasgow). The injury was sustained whilst out on our night walk and he had woken later in the night with it being swollen and painful. He had a cut on his cornea - ouch!  We make jokes about them writing a book about 'NZ hospitals we have known and loved'.  They are going to the zoo today to feed the Red Panda and walk the Cheetah (let's hope there's no more accidents). 

Plans for today include a roundabout drive along the coast (where else) to visit the Te Papa Museum. We briefly visited here last year and wanted a longer look. 

The route around the shoreline took us along 'Happy Valley Road' on the journey into the city.  We pass some interesting looking metal and stone sculptures 

but the other side of the road also looks a bit like a scrap yard. 

Then see sign saying it's a mini-golf and paintball place, then the sign showing it is Carlucci Land. 

Check it out on Google and it has four and a half star review on the Trip review site many people use to plan their holiday.

Parking at the museum is easy, but although Wellington seemed fairly quiet today, there are only three spaces left. We do find one of them without much trouble though. 

There is a special exhibition on about Gallipoli. A lot of New Zealand soldiers fought and died there. It was busy and we sometimes had to wait to read info in particular parts. The exhibition was very moving though, with some absolutely fantastic much larger than life size models of soldiers. It explained the real life story about each person modelled, based on real individual army personnel, including a nurse and a doctor. 

You were allowed to take photos as long as they were for personal use, but obviously not allowed to touch the models. This was quite difficult not to do as they were so life-like but just giant size. The people even had cuts and bruises on their hands, sweat on their faces and flies depicted landing on them, to bring the horror of the situation to life. The person's words from diaries were also narrated as you stood around the model. 

The doctor; can you see the fly on his hand?

The lady in the RHS of the photo should give you some idea of scale

The was also a life size kitted out body, with helpful little cut out bits, to show how much they had to carry and what sort of standard the equipment was

When the snipers were shooting out of the trenches, one person would shoot whilst one person would use a periscope/telescope thing to tell the other where to aim.

A model showed the complicated dug-outs on Quinn's Post - this was very detailed and interesting to see, together with diaries, movie and photos of people there.

A display of a lit up skeleton was animated to show the damage done to the human form from the various weapons used, with a different button to press for animating shrapnel, bullets, grenades and artillery shell fire.

This is some stills taken of the shrapnel one

We toured the remainder of the museum after leaving the Gallipoli exhibition, stopping at the comfy cafe on the fourth floor for a late lunch first 

(we did not partake in any afters i.e. cake, did I hear a gasp of shock?).

Our luncheon venue as viewed from above. The whole design of the building is very pleasant with a large open area through the centre spanning several floors.

Eric said could he have a go in that plane please. 

Eric takes a fancy to this luggage but wonders if we be allowed to get all of this in the hold. 

A quick walk along the quay to try and find an art gallery shop we were recommended ends in failure. So the wallets at least stay shut for the moment. 

Back in the car and it's more coastal driving travelling back to the B&B. The rain promised for this afternoon has not arrived yet and we stop at a cafe on Greta Point for the delayed cake fix. Lemon and coconut cake with a small bowl of sharp plain yogurt on the side - surprisingly tasty together. 

Further along the drive back we see this 'wind sculpture'

Every now and again there are also words painted on the road showing where the Tsunami evacuation zone exits are - Wellington has very steep cliffs along it's edges.

I bet it wouldn't take long to make it up the 280 metres if you thought there was a big wave coming!!

Back at the ranch several cups of tea are imbibed whilst catching up with blogging. As we've eaten quite well today we don't need to find a restaurant tonight. Our hostess offers a bowl of leek and potato soup - gratefully accepted by one - and delicious. Must get recipe.

Heavy rain starts about eight thirty - let's hope it's stopped by the morning.