Wellington

Wellington-Nomad Hostel

While in Wellington (for our 2-day stay) we stayed at the Nomad Hostel. It was fantastic. They have a bar (“Blade”) attached to the hostel that has 2-4-1 drinks for hostel dwellers-Nomad’s is a “dry” hostel. YEAH RIGHT!

The city definitely has an issue with parking. If you actually find a parking spot, it is very expensive. The bus transportation is five times as expensive as Auckland! Totally rip-off-y! Our parking cost $63 for two days in a “less expensive” parking garage.

Joh, of course found some sweet street art!

We finally found some fantastic food in the city!

The first night we ate at Monsoon Poon (a Thai-Indian infused restaurant). Joh ordered a red-curry fish and prawns dish and I ordered a green-curry veggie dish with prawns! They both were fantastic, and spicy as hell! YUM, YUM! We also saw the entire crew of guys from the Whale Wars show on TV- “The Sea Sheppard’s.”

Looking out over Monsoon Poon

Blurry picture of the El Capitan of the Sea Shepard.

We went to Zealandia (New Zealand’s ultimate nature experience) and had a great time hiking around all day in the misty rain. They have some of the rarest, most remarkable wildlife on the planet in their Sanctuary Valley. We saw a bunch of birds, baby birdies, a few Tuataras (a chameleon-esque creature that they believe was around when dinosaurs roamed the earth) and a Weta (a huge cricket/grasshopper/cockroach type guy/lady that is vegetarian, a gentleman/woman AND is also the size of a MOUSE)! I also met one of my new favorite birds there- a “Kaka”…a huge parrot! (c-bird)

Beautiful view of Zelandia's reservoir. 

Beautiful flower-it looks like a petite orchid.

Rainy!

YOWCH!

The "Kaka"-(one of my new favorite birds)

Suspension bridge.

Beautiful foggy view from the rain forest floor. 

The last night we ate at a quaint little restaurant/café right next to our hostel, “F.inc.” It was the best meal we’ve have had in a long time. It was fantastic and so perfect. It was “BYO” night, so we brought a bottle of sparking Oyster Bay Brut sparkling sauv blanc from Marlborough and a bottle of Belgian beer we had brought from the US –tasty treats! For appetizers we ordered tea smoked fish on crisped French bread and sea salt potato wedges with garlic mustard aioli. Joh had the fish special- a tasty fresh fish wrapped in prosciutto with a reconstructed mustard potato salad as well as steamed veggies (including pea shoots –the plant!). I had the linguine with garlic infused olive oil, organic honey feta, bok choy and the tastiest giant green olives I have ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with. The desserts were too fine to pass up. We picked the chocolate torte with lemon & vanilla infused cream and orange zest. YUM! We went back to our room and had some much needed food coma zzz’s.

B.Y.O. night at Finc.

Joh enjoying his "Inferno" beer from Lost Abbey-that we brought from the states.

Tea-smoked fish w/ crisped French bread.

Sea-salt potato wedges with garlic mustard aioli.

Our deeelishus main courses.

 Chocolate torte with lemon & vanilla infused cream and orange zest

Oh yes, we found a place that served dirty martinis. A $19 dirty martini! It was so good….. Epic Armegeddon at D4 –tasty but expensive ($13 for 500 Ml).