WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

I was there a few weeks before Christmas and the place was beautifully decorated with the festive theme. Other than that, the major attraction was the character from "The Hobbit" which was larger than life.

 

On my last day in Wellington, the weather was very bad. I was told by the person at the hostel counter that a few flights had been cancelled due to the strong wind. Lucky enough, my plane took off according to schedule. I found this Youtube video showing how extreme landing and taking off could be in Wellington, and thank god I only found this only after I have safely reached home.

LIVING A BACKPACKER'S LIFE AT YHA WELLINGTON

This was my first time staying in a youth hostel a.k.a backpacker's accommodation, from 27th-30th November 2013. The main reason I chose this place other than its affordable rate was the good reviews given my previous visitors, and I was not disappointed at all.

The hostel also has dorms which could accommodate either four or six people to a room. I am not that adventurous so I opted for a single room with a large bed and had no problem sleeping at all.

It was just like an ordinary hostel except you have to share the bathrooms with other people. If you have stayed in a school hostel before, this would not be something new. Even the bathrooms were very clean and people were really friendly we exchanged our "hi" with each other in there.

There is also a kitchen on the ground floor if you wish to cook your own meal and a laundry on the top floor. I did not use any.

I really loved the espresso bar here. I could get my coffee and bagel (with cream cheese and jam) before I started exploring the city in the morning.

The building is strategically located in town. There is a supermarket opposite and with walking distance to almost any tourists' attractions in the city, especially the Te Papa Museum. There is a bus stop right at the back of the hostel and you could get a bus that ferry people to and from the airport.

I will not hesitate to stay here again if I have the chance to go to Wellington in the future, and I would not hesitate to recommend this place to other people.

CUBA STREET OF WELLINGTON

This should be one of the famous streets in Wellington. It was mentioned in all the travel blogs/websites I read. I was there twice: on the second day when it was already dark and raining and on the third day when it was bright and scorching hot. The latter was more happening than the first. This is the street where people come to party. Most probably I did not witness the happening either I was there at the wrong time or I am not a party animal.

This should be the most prominent landmark of the site which is called "The Bucket Fountain". Read about its history HERE.

There are rows of shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and halal food outlet. I found two or three Malaysian restaurants here but you have to ask about its halal status first as operators could be non-Muslims.

Basically, that was all I had done and seen throughout my four-day stay in Wellington. I could not go out on the fourth/last day as the weather was really bad in the morning and I had to get to the airport in the afternoon. It was a pleasant stay and I was glad that I had decided to get there before going to other places in the South Island.

VISITING VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON

I actually discovered the Law Faculty of Victoria University by accident on my way to the Parliament Buildings in the morning.

After the late lunch, Mr. Hasbi then took me to the main campus which is located on top of a hill in Wellington. It was a very steep way up but luckily we took a bus to go there.

  

The campus was amazing - the buildings and designs looked modern to me. When I was doing my degree, my university was not as beautiful as this.

I hope that one day one of my ex-students will have the chance to pursue his/her studies here.