We just finished our first full day in Wellington, and I have to say we’re having a pretty good time. So far, the food here has been excellent. Spent the morning opening a bank account and transfering money from the US, and then the afternoon wandering around Wellington. Lunch was at a small place called Lido. Very tasty, one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. Yesterday we had some Malaysian food which also was very good. I think I had this unrealized dread that the food was going to be a bit like British food, but those fears are now gone. Went to hear Irish music last night in a bar, and was very happy that there is no smoking in bars here. Our friend Jacob is friends with one of the members of the band, who came down and sat with us during the break. Such amazingly nice people here.
The house we are staying in is up on a hill above the university. They have a cable car you can take up the hill which gives you nice views of the city and water. A block from the house is a large botanical garden. We walked through a corner of it this afternoon and it is beautiful. Will have to explore more of it soon. They have free concerts in that garden every night. We’ll probably go to hear some swing music tomorrow night.
We’ve been taking lots of photos, but I don’t have a fast internet connection yet, so nothing has been uploaded. Going to the university tomorrow to get the keys to my office (with internet), so hopefully soon…