On Monday, Wellington Anniversary, we have the chance to celebrate what makes the windy city the coolest little capital in the world.
For those of us who follow football we are all familiar with the favorite chant of the Yellow Fever of the Phoenix. A little something like this:
“Oh Wellington, oh Wellington, Is wonderful, Is wonderful, oh Wellington is wonderful – we’ve got the wind, the rain and the Phoenix – oh Wellington is wonderful.”
Beyond the Phoenix and the shaggy weather, there is so much to Wellington that does indeed make it wonderful. To start the coffee is leaps and bounds better than most spots in the world, with cafes littered on every corner – be it a beachside brunch hangout or an urban hipster hub. Fidel’s on Cuba Street is well known for its Havana coffee, The Waterfront has some superb Mojo coffee and Lamason is ideal for the lovers of espresso.
For its relatively cozy size Wellington hosts a decent party or two. Lambton Quay has an endless array of bars and clubs for all types of social butterfly, and Cuba Street provides the best platform for the edgier and artier side of life. Notable annual celebrations include the Sevens rugby tournament and the World of Wearable Art months. Come rain, wind or shine a night out in the capital is always a buzz.
Speaking of things that buzz, the Beehive and its surrounding government institutions provide jobs for those hoping to build a fairer country. The film industry is simply on fire in Wellington, gaining momentum from the foundations set by the great Sir Peter Jackson, and the like (note that many unsuspecting acquaintances would have featured on one of the Lord of the Rings films as an extra.) The economy is diverse and thriving and is a fantastic hub to move for a new career or to start a business.
Perhaps the only thing that Auckland has on Wellington is the beach life. This is mainly the fault of those severe southerly gales that thrust through the Cook Straight to make a normally idealic beach setting seem unappealing. But when you do get a good day Oriental Parade and Lyall Bay are as good as the scenes in Mission Bay or Takapuna. Wellingtonians like to brag about how you simply can’t beat Wellington on a good day, few and far between as they are (the weather’s really not that bad.)
Te Papa, the Botanical Gardens, the Cable Car, Mt Victoria, the list of highlights goes on and on.