Wellington's Weirdness: Rain, Rumors, and Really Bad Coffee
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm instant coffee at this point. landed in wellington last night - it’s… damp. like, aggressively damp. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the pressure’s at 1020, humidity’s hovering around 61, and the air smells vaguely of seaweed and disappointment. honestly, it’s a vibe.
I was supposed to be photographing the Te Papa Museum, but honestly, the light was atrocious. it was like, aggressively grey. i ended up wandering around the waterfront, dodging tourists and trying to avoid eye contact with a guy playing a mournful tune on a saxophone. he looked like he’d seen some things.
I stumbled upon this little place called ‘The Rusty Mug’ - don’t let the name fool you, it’s a disaster. someone told me that the barista, a guy named Barry, once tried to pay for a latte with a bottle cap. i’m not kidding. the coffee was… an experience. bitter, lukewarm, and with a suspicious sediment at the bottom. i’m pretty sure it was brewed sometime last week. i needed a shot of something stronger, so i ended up at a dive bar called ‘The Kraken’s Kiss.’
Speaking of dives, the locals are… interesting. they’re a mix of weathered sailors, artists who haven’t sold a painting in years, and people who seem permanently confused. i overheard a conversation about a legendary lost treasure hidden somewhere in the *mount victoria - apparently, it’s guarded by a grumpy goblin. seriously.
Here’s the gear list, because i’m a professional (sort of):
*Camera: Canon R6 - still my baby.
*Lenses: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm - the holy trinity.
*Rain gear: waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, waterproof everything.
*Notebook & Pen: for capturing all the goblin-related intel.
*Emergency chocolate: crucial for dealing with Barry’s coffee.
I also managed to snag a few local tips - mostly from a very enthusiastic (and slightly drunk) woman at the hostel. she recommended checking out Zealandia - a fantastic little sanctuary right in the city. it’s like stepping into a prehistoric rainforest. check it out here: https://www.zealandia.org.nz/.
And if you’re looking for something to do besides contemplate the dampness, there’s the wellington museum - it’s got some pretty cool stuff, apparently. i heard that the Maori collection is particularly good. you can find more info here: https://www.wellingtonmuseum.co.nz/.
I’m heading out to explore the botanical gardens* tomorrow. apparently, they have a really impressive collection of native plants. i’m hoping for some decent light.
Seriously, if you’re in the area, you should check out https://www.yelp.com/ for restaurant recommendations. Just… maybe avoid The Rusty Mug.
Oh, and one last thing: someone told me that the best way to experience Wellington is to embrace the rain. Apparently, it’s part of the charm. i’m not entirely convinced, but i’m willing to give it a shot.
I’m starting to think i should have just stayed in bed. but hey, at least i have a story, right? and a serious caffeine deficiency.
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