Kindness in Khandallah
My time in Wellington was one filled with kindness and enjoyment. At a time of the year which could have been filled with feelings at the opposite end of the spectrum I pleased to say I found myself feeling what I did.
It’s funny how family can mean so much more than the blood which flows through our veins… and this holiday season I was embraced into a family on the opposite side of the planet to my own and I cannot begin to state just how thankful I am to them for this. Heather, Dunc, Lee and Marie all welcomed me into their families like I was one of them and it filled my heart.
I settled on the name for this blog as soon as the thought crossed my mind about what I would include in my run down for my time in Wellington.
“You can’t beat Welly on a good day”
Well I can safely say thats wholeheartedly true! Its a cracking place to spend time when the sun is shining, chilled atmosphere, really nice public spaces and coffee which rivals Melbourne.
I found myself really enjoying spending time just taking the city in.
Outside of the central core the city is made up of villages, much like Edinburgh, and for those who know me they know that it is very much my kind of place. Each one had its own vibe, shops and even supermarkets which made it worth checking them out.
One of the big highlights is Te Papa, the museum, which does New Zealand proud in my opinion and the biggest exhibit is one on Gallipoli which was the major pinnacle of ANZAC involvement in WW1 and I have to say other than the name I didn’t know much about it and man alive did this exhibit do a stellar job of taking you through it. There are physical models by Peter Jackson which are mega and really draw you into the stories being told. If you get a chance then go!
Family can be found everywhere
I cannot overstate that my time Wellington would not have been what it was without the generosity of Dunc and Heather. Dad and Dunc coached rugby when Lee (Dunc’s son) played before they emigrated nearly 15 years ago. Like many things over time Dad and Dunc had lost touch but through connections, which if put on board with string would look like a telephone exchange wall, Dad was able to get in touch with Lee and thus Dunc.
After catching up and having a few catchups before I headed out from Australia I let them know I would be heading from the South Island to the North on Christmas Day… well there was no arguing I was to head straight to Khandallah.
When I arrived I was greeted like a member of the family and after yapping away I was even given a Christmas dinner… and then just before bed I was told “Theres one more thing under the tree” and I was lost for words and frankly I don’t know how I didn’t greet.
Boxing Day was spent at Lee and Maries as though I was one of the family with their twins quick to make sure I felt at home.
Over the next 2 and half weeks id be made to felt right at home and I just hope that someday I’ll be able to repay that favour somehow.
It’s hard for me to talk about my time in Wellington without connecting it with my time spent with everyone.
Thank you and I hope its not long before I see you all again.
Not long left in the NZ
Theres not long left now before I’m on another international flight heading on to the next leg on my journey.
But before that I’m going to enjoy what time I have left in Taupo, the few days I have in Rotorua and then onto Auckland.
Also I forgot to say Happy New Year!
Toddy
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