Kiwi Adventures Blog: January 2013

Every 2 years an air display is held in Masterton called Wings Over Wairarapa and we popped along last Sunday hoping that the weather would be kind. Having not been to an air display since for about 20 years it was most enjoyable. We took along our folding chairs and umbrellas and time seemed to fly by. As it happened the threatened morning rain cleared and the umbrellas were useful sun shades.

Second World War Ground Display

Moving into the jets

Mosquito preparing to take off

Mosquito with two DH Vipers and a later Venom

Mosquito close fly by

Seasprite helicopter

Yak52s

de Havilland DH5 scout plane (I think)

Sopwith Triplane

German Pfalz D.III built for the movie Blue Max

Supermarine Spitfire Tr IX

Supermarine Spitfire Tr IX and Spitfire Mk IX

The first 2 weeks of the summer holidays have gone and a lot of people are heading back to work. We are still around Wellington, avoiding the holiday madness outside with Schools not being back until early February, so as good Wellingtonians we are trying to do all the things that priorities would otherwise not allow us to do.

Here is this morning's tour:

1. The Supreme Court of New Zealand

This was only opened in 2010. It has to be said the stuck on facial is somewhat uninspiring and reputedly cost a fortune. The interior however is faced with copper and is impressive. May book to return for a tour at some point.

2. Wellington Cenotaph

Again, this is a structure that you will pass daily without paying it too much attention. There is nothing really to see at the base bar two lions but as you walk around it you get some great different backdrops of the city to it.

3. Ministry of Social Development

Just snapped this really for history sake as it was where I worked on a project for a year recently so it has interest to me to record it. It does however have sculptures in the grounds backing onto parliament so well worth a look.

4. Reserve Bank Museum

This is a building walked past on The Terrace daily, where you think who would want to go into a bank museum. It is however welcoming inside and worth a quick browse. For myself, seeing the previous currencies that were in place when my parents were here in the 50s and when I was here in the 90s was of interest. You can also see what a million dollars looks like and how coins are structured. OK, geeky but up my street.

5. Building Foyer Art

As you wander around the CBD there are loads of buildings with art adorning their foyers that again you would not normally enter. For myself I liked the 'Colours of Fun' and 'Music has Charm' and would drag someone back into the foyers to see them.

6. Street Sculptures

On most corners there is some form of art placed in Wellington. 'Ruaumoko' is worth a look at. In Māori mythology, Rūaumoko is the god of earthquakes, volcanoes and seasons. In this case the sculpture is built of broken columns and muddled bronze letters which looks like the result of an earthquake. The letters are actually from the State Fire Insurance Building which was demolished in the 1980s.

7. New Zealand Academy of Fine Art

This has a good shop on entry but when we visited the exhibition was just being changed over so I have promised I will return !

8. New Zealand Portrait Gallery

If you want to see some random black and white photos from 1930s to 1970s stuck to walls, of subjects you had not really know you didn't care about, then this is the place for you. Otherwise for me though ..... moving on.

9. Olympic Museum

Another place we pass regularly but had not stuck our noses in. Interesting to see some of the New Zealand sporting history so worth a visit.

10. Red Dog Cafe

For those not familiar with Wellington CBD then end your morning at the Red Dog, have one of the best pizza in town and a pint (or two) of Tuatara APA at the bar. Trust me, Indian Pale Ale may be of undesirable quality in Europe but here, when from the boutique breweries like Tuatara it is heavenly nectar. Well worth the visit. Morning ends.