Visited the Te Papa Tongarewa to see the ground-breaking exhibition which tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. The giant sculptures took a staggering 24,000 hours to create, and countless hours were spent researching their rich histories. Pictured are Lieutenant Spencer Westmacott (who’s right arm was smashed by a bullet while holding off an attack) and Staff Nurse Lottie Le Gallais, a military nurse on the hospital ship ‘Maheno’, whose brother Leddie was killed in the conflict.

Cutting-edge technology was also used to create 3-D maps and projections, miniatures, models, dioramas, and a range of interactive experiences that bring New Zealand’s Gallipoli story to life.  In total, 44,000 Allied soldiers lost their lives (2,779 Kiwis) on Gallipoli, and many others were scarred forever. Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War takes you to the core of this defining event. The Ottoman Empire paid a high price for their victory with 87,000 soldiers dying. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk played a crucial strategic and leadership role during the wa, became leader of the Turkish nationalist movement, ultimately becoming the first President of the Republic of Turkiye.

Then for something completely different, the Vivienne Westwood exhibit @ Te Papa featuring 550 pieces of jewellery and over 15 complete ensembles and garments, with works spanning 4 decades. Bold and rebellious, not shying away from socio-political, environmental and subversive styles. Her stories are told through a series of rooms.

A lovely carving by Neke Kapua and his sons, 6.6m long and 1.2m wide from a huge slab of Totara welcomes you to the various exhibition spaces.

Drove from Wellington back to Levin and had morning tea with hot cross bun at Whispers Cafe. Then, because Lynne’s bronchitis was sounding worse…a little A and E visit @ Whanganui. Nurse triage and GP review within 45 mins….came away with script for antibiotics. 

We stopped off @ New Zealand Glassworks and saw an amazing demonstration by the very talented Katy Brown of how to create a ‘flyaway platter’-  ‘blown away’ by the process, if you’ll pardon the pun. 

Next, a drive to see the wild and picturesque Patea beach, where the river meets the Tasman sea. Wind factor was EPIC! 

Arrived @ Platinum Lodge in Stratford, with sunset happening behind a dramatic Mt Taranaki backdrop. Very comfortable accommodations! And Rusty the cavoodle was very welcoming. 

Drove to Mangorei to get a view of Mt Taranaki, but unfortunately only fleeting glimpses of the snow capped peak which was quickly shrouded by cloud. Very windy day, so no chance of droney being unleashed. 

Travelled to New Plymouth to see the 156m high Paratitu Rock (ancient volcanic crater, active 1.75 million years ago) and Sugar Loaf Islands from Centennial Park – the sun has come out and we got a beautiful ocean view.

Had a laugh-out aloud moment at the BP petrol station – after paying the bill, got into wrong car at the bowsers, greatly surprising a man who had just arrived to fill up. Coffee stop @ the Elixir Cafe. 

Onwards to Bradley’s Garden in Taumaruni, via the Otaru Rd to Ahititi and Ohura (oopsy, wrong turn after we lost GPS), so we didn’t visit them after all.  Despite quite a few gravel sections, turned out alright in the end, as we instead traversed Mt Messenger, Matiere to Te Kuiti.

The local Mint Indian Restaurant a nice surprise – Aloo Mutar/Mutter is a North Indian dish of potatoes and peas cooked in a  Kashmiri style for Lynne; chicken tikka marsala for me. Both delish.