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New Zealand Part III
Oct. 23rd, 2022 05:54 amPart III of the New Zealand trip has been four nights in Wellington, firstly at the old deco Wellington Hotel with its many colourful characters and a final night at the somewhat more upmarket Hotel Atura. On the first day, following the recommendation of Martin P., I journeyed through the Bolton St Cemetery and the lush surrounding parklands (which at one stage was going to be a motorway off-ramp, thank goodness that didn't happen), and caught up with Morgan D., a rather impressive figure in NZ's RPG community with various inroads on matters concerning politics and education. Afterward, I ventured through the Wellington City Gallery and then the enormous Te Papa National Museum which has extremely impressive natural history content, extensive items on Maori and Pasifika culture, and a very moving Gallipoli exhibition.
The following day took the funicular up to the Botanical Gardens and Carter Observatory centre, which really has quite delightful information on astronomy, Maori legends (especially Polynesian navigation by the stars), and NZs impressive contributions. Afterward made my way through Kelburn Park for a long chat with Professor James Renwick at the University of Wellington to discuss my next degree, a Master in Climate Science and Policy, and visit their collection of old computing equipment. Making my way back to the harbourside I caught up with Art P., who I know through Multicore World and we meandered through the impressive Wellington City Museum (the short movie on the Wahine disaster always moves me), the NZ Academy Fine Arts gallery, and then the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
On the final day, I visited Old St Paul's, a great Gothic revival wooden church. then caught up with Rick B's family, including sister Janet E., brother Stephen B., and Janet's partner Don. We had animated conversations over many topics during a very long lunch and trekked along the harbourside until it was departure time. Rick, of course, was a very dear friend for many years and following his death, the connection I've made with his family feels just as strong; like Rick, they all have such sharp intellects and deep hearts committed to a more just society. One other matter I must mention; I did spend quite a bit of time hunting around for just the right pounamu carving for a special friend, which comes with all sorts of significance that most tourists don't realise, and I think I have achieved that.
The following day took the funicular up to the Botanical Gardens and Carter Observatory centre, which really has quite delightful information on astronomy, Maori legends (especially Polynesian navigation by the stars), and NZs impressive contributions. Afterward made my way through Kelburn Park for a long chat with Professor James Renwick at the University of Wellington to discuss my next degree, a Master in Climate Science and Policy, and visit their collection of old computing equipment. Making my way back to the harbourside I caught up with Art P., who I know through Multicore World and we meandered through the impressive Wellington City Museum (the short movie on the Wahine disaster always moves me), the NZ Academy Fine Arts gallery, and then the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
On the final day, I visited Old St Paul's, a great Gothic revival wooden church. then caught up with Rick B's family, including sister Janet E., brother Stephen B., and Janet's partner Don. We had animated conversations over many topics during a very long lunch and trekked along the harbourside until it was departure time. Rick, of course, was a very dear friend for many years and following his death, the connection I've made with his family feels just as strong; like Rick, they all have such sharp intellects and deep hearts committed to a more just society. One other matter I must mention; I did spend quite a bit of time hunting around for just the right pounamu carving for a special friend, which comes with all sorts of significance that most tourists don't realise, and I think I have achieved that.
