Thursday, February 20th
Our day began with a walk to New Zealand’s parliament buildings in Wellington. We had a docent who led us on a tour. No photos are allowed inside the buildings. The pictures I have are from our walk and outside the buildings.
Parliament House 
New Zealand Parliamentary Library 
The Beehive 
WELLINGTON CENOTAPH 
Playground in front of the Parliament buildings!
After our tour of parliament, we walked over to the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The court was in session so we couldn’t tour the chambers but had an informative talk in the lobby area. There were windows where we could peek in and see the lawyers and judges. It was an interesting morning.
Below are pictures from inside the old Supreme Court building. We were allowed to take pictures in here.
Our guide for the Supreme Court 
In the lobby 
Inside the courtroom 
The steps the prisoners used to get up to the courtroom.
Old government building 
The royal coat of arms 
Turnbull House
We walked to the Thistle Inn for lunch. It is New Zealand’s oldest surviving tavern, 1840, and is operating from its original site! The sea used to be in front of the tavern but due to earthquakes and land reclamation the shoreline is now several blocks away.
The Thistle Inn 
Our server telling us some of the history. 
Inside the inn
Our afternoon was free so a few of us took the cable car up to visit the Wellington Botanic Garden.
Entering the station 
Where we board the cable car 
The garden was established in 1868. We enjoyed strolling through its gardens and along the many paths.
The Bee Lady Sculpture 
This lawn mower is a sculpture. 
One of the sculptures 
The rose garden 
A bee enjoying the rose
As we left the Botanic garden, we walked through the Bolton Street Cemetery. It is Wellington’s oldest cemetery which dates back to 1840.
As a retired educator I thought this statement on their education building was powerful!
From the garden we walked toward Wellington’s harbor and enjoyed a beverage and then had a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant with some of our group.
Wellington Harbor 
An interesting boat along our harbor walk 
Where we had dinner.
At one point we walked through Wellington’s train station. It was great to see the reference to Harry Potter with the Platform 9 3/4.
