USA v. Australia and More Wellington

Well .... let's just say it was fun go to the match. The atmosphere was, really, quite different from any US sporting event we've ever been to, though it reminded us of college football -- with everyone wearing colors and painting their faces etc. It certainly was a party.

Unfortunately, the Eagles chose a second side to play mighty Australia. We understand the logic -- they were resting the first side for Tuesday's match against Italy whom we have a better chance of beating -- but it made for a lopsided match. At home we might have turned it off. Since we will go to Nelson for the next match, we only hope the plans work out!

Yesterday was a relaxing day -- we went off to the Weta Cave (where they made Lord of the Rings) to see how they do their magic and then had a wonderful dinner courtesy of Kevin Eager and his partner Val, with a couple of their Kiwi friends. Val made a wonderful lamb (of course -- it's New Zealand!) and then we watched the All Blacks v. France. It was grand to catch up with old friends from the DC area, but alas the dinner was all too short.

On to Nelson now ...

Wellington

Our second stop was Wellington. The city seems very livable. We are staying at a B&B close to downtown and the area down here is very walkable. We've put on alot of miles already this trip.

Wellington is not really a tourist city -- it is the seat of government and seems to be generally a working city (though there are alot of tourists here right now for the World Cup).

One highlight of the city is the national museum Te Papa. It's primary focus is on the maori culture but it also captures alot of natural history and the history of the English settlement. Housing, as well, the national art collection, it seems like a Smithsonian type of museum. It is extremely well done -- a new building right on the water, with very good interactive exhibits that draw you in.

Katy also saw the national portrait gallery -- a new collection. Right now, however, it contains only portraits of rugby players (in honor of the world cup) so it is hard to say what the full collection looks like.

Last night we had dinner with an old friend from the US -- Mark Binning -- who is doing well and seems happy picking grapes in his retirement. We went out to dinner with him and had a wonderful bottle of NZ pinot -- looking forward to wine country next week.

And today, we went up to the top of the nearby mountain for a view of the harbor and a walk in the NZ botanical garden. Good, interesting plant life on what was truly a beautiful day (high around 60).

On the whole we like this place though we have to say -- with apologies to our NZ friends -- that the government offices (known as the Beehive) are equal to some of Washington DC's truly modest office buildings.

Tonight we go to the rugby match -- US v. Australia. Katy is already "rugby-ed out" but like a trooper is marching on. Sadly, we aren't likely to win the match. But it should be lots of fun seeing something we haven't seen before.