Bronson Walkabout: What's the capital of New Zealand?

Southern Walkway into town.

Wellington. There, now you are ready for when you get hit with that question. We've spent the last week here in what's been called the quirkiest national capital in the world. Our host Gay says it's because of the weather, Wellington's location between these two islands with mountains and open ocean all around makes for quickly changing days with not always the best weather. We've experienced rain, sun and 40 knot winds, off and on the whole time here. Apparently half the year has winds over 32 knots. That kind of weather keeps the cool people here, according to Gay.

Cool has always eluded me but I can verify that these Wellingtonians do seem to be hardy. The city lies in a valley surrounded some quite steep hills. A town greenbelt surrounds it with the beautiful, natural Wellington Harbor out front. Great waterfront with heaps of people riding, walking, running and enjoying. We've enjoyed seeing the botanical gardens, the national museum (Te Papa) along with some great galleries and restaurants.

Seriously windy here...

We've been staying in the Hataitai neighborhood just on the other side of the hill from downtown. Our house clings to the side of the hill and we walk up through winding paths, by walk-in houses, up to Mount Victoria and then down along the Southern Walkway which runs along the ridge and then down through the forest into town. An awesome walk. From our deck we can see the final mountains of the North Island along with all the ferries that head out of Wellington Harbor to the South Island. We'll on that ferry tomorrow, heading for the Nelson area of the South Island, ten days in one place exploring the north end of the southern island of New Zealand.