Wellington, New Zealand

In Wellington, New Zealand for just one day -- we walked about the town on a tasting tour.  But first, on the waterfront, we passed by this beautiful boathouse for the Wellington rowers.  It was built in the 19th century as the lookout tower at the edge of this wonderful harbor.

Our first stop on our tasting tour was this wonderful coffee roastery, Mojo Coffee.  George was in heaven!  (www.mojcoffee.com)

Next we were in a marketplace where we could find only the best groceries in Wellington.  We didn't buy anything (who needs any food when you have the chefs of the Crystal Serenity at your beck and call), but we did do some tasting of the wonderful jams and chutneys of New Zealand's best -- Ruth Pretty.  She also does a wonderful fruitcake for Christmas!

We also stopped at a wonderful chocolate shop, Schoc chocolates (www.chocolatetherapy.com) -- and tasted many different flavors of chocolate.  

After our tasting tour, we had a great lunch at a restaurant on the waterfront -- Shed 5.  We tasted some great New Zealand wines here with our lunch -- Stoneleigh Pinot Gris  and Red Rock Gravel Pit Merlot Malbec.

We ended our day in Wellington with a trip to the Te Papa Museum which was celebrating its tenth anniversary.  The museum was crowded with people participating in all of the special events, but we were still able to wander through and view the exhibits which highlight the culture and history of the New Zealand heritage.  This is a beautiful Maori temple - the fine carving in and on the temple is a hallmark of the Maori people.