Thursday, November 27, 2008

Day 5 - A Wellington Thanksgiving




Turkey and the trimmings are promised to us for our dinner tonight in celebration of this being Thanksgiving for us Americans. It feels strange being far from home and without our family on this special holiday, but we can certainly count our blessings from anywhere...and family, friends, faith and freedom are at the top of my list for sure.
Hello from cool but sunny Wellington, the capital of N.Z. We did a panoramic bus tour this morning to see the city sights, the botanical garden, and a brief stop to go inside Old St. Paul’s Church. They built a new one, and this beautiful parish church was fortunately saved from the wrecking ball. It no longer has Sunday services, but is used for weddings, funerals and baptisms, according to the volunteer.
The flooding of a long extinct volcano crater created Wellington Harbour. The city bends gracefully around the port and the houses seem to flow out of the hills, right down to the sea. Edwardian buildings and narrow streets contrast sharply with the modern skyscrapers. The picturesque rugged hills and cable cars have often caused this city to be compared to San Francisco. Since it lies in the path of the only major gap in N.Z.’s central mountain range, the city has earned its nickname of Windy Wellington. It is on the southern tip of the northern island, and we are enjoying watching the ferry traffic going in and out, as well as seeing all the planes outside our window on final approach for the local airport. Water, planes, and ships...the only thing missing–family and friends. Y’all come on down!
Dong, this is the woods where "Lord of the Rings" was filmed! I know you said you want to come here and check out that piece of history. Dick caught me taking pictures for some fellow passengers. The triangular building is the Byrd Memorial, explorer to Antarctica...and on the side is a tile rendition of the Aurora Australis. The rest of the pictures will have to wait to be uploaded.
Know that as we give thanks today, we are thinking of EACH one of you. We are mighty blessed.

6 comments:

Haley D. said...

We're thankful you're having a safe trip! We love & miss you turkeys- I mean on Turkey Day!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy Thanksgiving. Yes, you can count your blessings anywhere!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Brian said...

Gobble, gobble from Piton (my lap kitty) and I. Your kids are around here too, although I think outside hunting birds (I found feathers yesterday inside...). Have fun!

Debora Quigley said...

I actually have had thanksgiving on that boat, also!
small world

Joy said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Hugs...

escape said...

wow! that place is perfect for jogging. just look at the view after a run.