Wellington, NZ

It’s an early get-up-and-go as we need to be at Melbourne airport by 7 to check into our flight to Wellington, NZ. Our Uber driver is good company for the drive – a Pakistani gent on maternity leave (child born a few days ago which in AUS means as a dad he gets leave) who lived in the states for a while and has a great sense of humor.

It’s late afternoon after the time changes by the time we land in Wellington. Our driver is a middle-aged female – first time for that! She’s great – good fun and provides great commentary on the city as we make our way up to our apartment. Our loft apartment is in ‘Te Aro’, a hip section of Wellington and is really nice. And, it’s been built to the highest grade of earthquake regulation!

A few blocks from our pad is a very cool brewery, the ‘Garage Project’, which is housed in an old motor garage (hence the name, duh). They have a nice pub outlet across the street. Some great brews on tap. I tried the ‘Aardvark’, a sour ale ‘brewed with ants’ (!) and the ‘Garagista’, a ‘finely tuned IPA’. Both quite nice.  There were some real ‘foodie’ items as snacking items – especially the ‘free range cheerios’, served with tomato sauce (catsup).

Another block or so from the flat is ‘Cuba Street’, Wellington’s bohemian dining quarter. Cool architecture, tons of dining options. I badgered Mary into dining at ‘Fidels’. Seemed appropriate.

Dick

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I didn’t feel like I got enough sleep last night and am quite out of it this morning. We managed to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare and get checked in. Melbourne Airport, International terminal is in the process of some renovations, so breakfast options are limited.

The flight is longer than you would think, but close to 4 hours. I have been wanting to watch the “Handmaids Tale” and get first three episodes in on the flight. Immigration and customs are easy and we soon get our luggage and head out.

We have a great Uber driver, Elizabet, probably close to my age. She provides great commentary on the way in and some good recommendations for dining and shopping.

It takes Dick a couple of minutes to navigate the ‘self check-in process’ at our apartment, but we finally get settled. It’s a really interesting building, built in 2013 to 100% of current earthquake standards, I guess I can sleep safely.

We have a walkabout to get provisions for the next several days and to get Dicks’ micro brew fix in at the Garage Project. I guess it can’t always be about the wine (sigh).

Down to Cuba street to check things out and get some dinner. We dine at Fidels, nothing else to say about that. We enjoy a nightcap at the cool restaurant across the street from us and are hoping to have dinner there tomorrow.

Mary

• Beer