WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND February 17, 2008
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, the country’s second largest urban areas and the most populous nation capital in Oceania. Wellington stands at the southern tip of the North Island in the geographical center of the country. Wellington is named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, the first duke of Wellington and victor oat the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke’s title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset.
In the maori language Wellington goes by two names. Te Whanganui-a-tata refers to Wellington Harbor and means “the great harbor of Tara”. The alternative name Poneke is often discourged because of a belief that is nothing more than a transliteration of the harbor’s former nickname in English, Port Nick, short for Port Nicholeson.
Today we were taken on a special tour to the symphony hall in the center of town. There we enjoyed a cocktail hour prior to being escorted the the symphony floor. Since there were no chairs they were able to set up a formal dinner for all 80 of us complete with unlimited wine. After the gourmet meal a group of operatic singer entertained for and hour. We then toured by buss to Mt. Victoria which provided a panoramic view of Wellington and it’s harbor.
As a final send off from the port a group of bag pipes and drums serenaded us at dock side. I must say it was a very touching way to say good-bye to the wonderful country of New Zealand
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, the country’s second largest urban areas and the most populous nation capital in Oceania. Wellington stands at the southern tip of the North Island in the geographical center of the country. Wellington is named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, the first duke of Wellington and victor oat the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke’s title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset.
In the maori language Wellington goes by two names. Te Whanganui-a-tata refers to Wellington Harbor and means “the great harbor of Tara”. The alternative name Poneke is often discourged because of a belief that is nothing more than a transliteration of the harbor’s former nickname in English, Port Nick, short for Port Nicholeson.
Today we were taken on a special tour to the symphony hall in the center of town. There we enjoyed a cocktail hour prior to being escorted the the symphony floor. Since there were no chairs they were able to set up a formal dinner for all 80 of us complete with unlimited wine. After the gourmet meal a group of operatic singer entertained for and hour. We then toured by buss to Mt. Victoria which provided a panoramic view of Wellington and it’s harbor.
As a final send off from the port a group of bag pipes and drums serenaded us at dock side. I must say it was a very touching way to say good-bye to the wonderful country of New Zealand
