Around town

So I have been spending a bit of time this week getting to know Wellington - the leafy suburbs, the hustle and bustle of downtown and the wonderful areas of colour and diversity.





That is a huge ball suspended in the air by the way - the wires are very thin!




These three pictures are all of an incredible sculpted wooden bridge near the sea front.



One day I took the train out to the suburb of Petone. Jackson Street has a great collection of secondhand shops, boutiques, cafes etc. On a side road is the Lighthouse Cinema, part of a small chain and like its British counterpart a real art house haven.

The film I had intended to see (Departures) was sold out as the screen only had 10 seats! So I settled instead for Summer Hours http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/movies/15hour.html and as the film was about to start I was escorted into the screen. On entering I did wonder if I had trespassed on an outing of the Petone W.I. as a group of well dressed older ladies looked at me as if I had just barged into their front room. However it was a weekday afternoon and the film a reflection on the nature of art... The seats were roomy 2 person numbers with cushions and the film palatable. Don't think Juliette Binoche suits blonde though! Hope to return there for more films later.

These 2 guys (or possibly gals) were hanging out while the driver got his lunch at the bakery and took a keen interest in everything going on in Jackson Street.


Today I wandered along Cuba Street, close to the city centre. Most of it pedestrianised and filled with more cafes, a record shop, book shops, tattoo parlours, the lot in fact. The side streets had a lot to offer too judging by these signs directing the passers-by to deviate from the main drag.


Some wondreful colour too

The bucket fountain on the left is sure to splash unsuspecting new arrivals

I had a great lunch of rice with a tofu vegetable curry in a small Chinese place. The couple had come here 20 years ago from Malaysia. The lady told me she was vegetarian too and that all the food is also vegan. A good place to return to I think, plus lots of sidestreets still untrodden.
Tomorrow off for a leisurely walk and a visit to some of the wineries...