Days 9 and 10 The Washington DC of New Zealand

A four-hour drive to Wellington.  We made it to the Parliament building for a 3PM tour.  Very interesting.  Just a House of Parliament with 120 members, each with a three-year term.  Bills are presented and debated three times than either voted up or down.  No Lord of Commons as in Great Britain, or the Senate for the US.

No states in New Zealand so this is it for the government.  Maori representatives comprise 23% of the Parliament.  We ask ourselves, what percentage in the US House of Representatives are Native Americans?  But, they have less than 5 million citizens, the US is pushing 328 million.  Refreshingly simple.  Oh, and no lobbyists.

This is the 'Beehive'.  To the right is the actual Parliament Building.  The Beehive has
offices and committee rooms in it.

A few comments about our Airbnbs.  Most label themselves as quaint, cozy or retro, interpretation: old.  Insides are very nice but the outsides typically could use some paint.  Also, since these homes/apartments were built many, many years ago, they are poorly insulated with single-pane windows.  We have the rooms heaters going to keep the chill off.

We have found these signs anywhere in the world where you drive on
the left hand side of the street.  More pedestrians have been killed by
looking left and hit by the cars coming from the right.  A good reminder.

Last night's Airbnb was particularly unique.  We were in Wellington after we went to Parliament.  It is a second-floor apartment above an auto repair shop.  Once we let ourselves in we realized it was in the back of an office.  The diplomas indicated that a financial planner/children's book author was the occupant and where we stayed was probably for his family when they were in town.  We could immediately tell he was Chinese, not because of the paintings and decorations, just the feel and the feng-shui.  He also had an immense collection of CD, DVDs and VHSs.  Many were about Elvis!  Interesting.

Today was our ferry ride from the north island to the south island.  3.5 hours.  Huge ferry.  It held 600 cars and 1,350 people.  Routine crossing.  The south island awaits us.