We walked down the Marjoribanks hill and purchased Snapper cards to use for public transportation. But the shop we bought them in couldn't put any money on them so we walked down another block. This store could have topped them off if their machine was also broken. They assured us that just one more block and we would find a machine that would let us put money on the card. Lucky for us we found a way to top off the cards and a bus stop. At least we did not have to back track three blocks. The bus dropped us off at the gate to the botanical gardens and we made a bee line to the rose garden. This was a path that was uphill at a fairly steep grade. It was through a pine forest so it was enjoyable. These trees were tall and beautiful. At the end of the path we got to the herb garden and I snatched a sprig of rosemary, my go to aroma-therapy herb. However the rose garden was down the bottom of a steep path. After heading down, we wandered through the rose garden and then got some lunch at the café. The begonia house had water lilies, orchids, pitcher plants and begonias galore. We then walked uphill at a slightly less steep grade along the serpentine path. This hike took us up higher than the herb garden, who knew? From the top we had the choice of going to the cable car or to the main part of the garden. Since we had come here to see the gardens, we decided that the gardens took precedence. Of course that took us down the steepest grade yet! We saw the flowers here and visited the treehouse / gift shop. We then went to the duck pond and finally the floral show beds. There was an installation that placed small astronauts along the various paths. These little action figure sized pieces had signs located next to them detailing the dialogue that the astronauts were "transmitting" to the mother ship. As we were leaving we came upon the mother ship and marveled at how clever it was to have this installation to keep the kiddies engaged. Back on the bus into town to the Tea Shop!
Look who figured out the Wellington public transportation system
We passed this urban park at lunch time, very busy
What are they trying to say?
The grand gates tpoo the Botanical Gardens
We decided to go right to the rose garden
Without realizing that it was a serious uphill walk
But very pretty though the pine garden
Only to find the rose garden is down this hill, way downhill
We are on top of the world
Let the flower blitz begin!
Metal Sculptures
Nice metal wire tree
The Begonia house
Multi colored roses
So bright I had to put my sunglasses on
The rose garden is very big
An filled with
Roses of every
Color and size
Pink beauties!
Lovely combination of colors
At the café we got to watch this dog
Sniff sniffff snifffffff!
This is the uphill location where I took the picture of the rose garden
\Tasty mushroom medley even in a nation wide mushroom crisis
Big chicken Ceasar salad with chicken
Our lunch view
It only took 39 seconds for the sparrows to jump on these leftovers
Into the Begonia Garden
Cactus flowers
A huge begonia
These are fronds in the making
Pitcher plant and slipper orchid
This is some kind of black lilly
Tiny purple flowers
Is this the flower?
The black lily
Into the water lily pond
Pink with lily pads
Lavender-licious
Groovry
Spherical floral burst
The begonia house was very large
A stroll along the serpentine path
Shrooms!
Stacking rocks, I can't stop!
We have reached the art path
After a steep walk up the serpentine path we had to go down the steep path to the treehouse
Houses off in the distance
The treehouse is covered in ivy
The fernery
Beekeeper lady
One of the astronauts scattered about
Duck butt #1
Duck butt #2
The rocket that brought all the various astronauts
Big fluffy flowers
The show beds
Another astronaut
Astronauts exploring the sculpture
Love the emphasis on evergreen native trees
We are out!
Yes, these are all teas!
A cool traditional Chinese tea cabinet
A herbal tea with anti-cyclone proprieties? Where was this tea when Cyclone Hale hit the train tracks?
A day late but we shopped and took an Uber back uphill
Are we in San Fran or what? The fog is rolling in.
From our Apartment
A spire all lit up by the setting sun
