Chocolate Fish and the Weta Cave

Wellington City looked picture perfect as we continued with the sight-seeing tour for our English visitors.  After the ride in the Kelburn Cable Car it was time for lunch.  The Chocolate Fish Cafe in Shelly Bay was one that we had been waiting to try, so this was the perfect day to go there. 

This way to the  Chocolate Fish Cafe

The cafe was full to bursting and as we stood and looked around, two men kindly moved from a large table to a smaller one so that the four of us could sit comfortably outside.  The cafe’s specialty is artisan style barbecued seafood sandwiches with garlic aioli and watercress. Interestingly, this cafe does not have a kitchen and the fillings for the hot sandwiches are cooked over a barbeque in the corrugated lean-to shed on the left of the photo.  Three of us ordered the scallop sandwich, with Glennis choosing fish.  The scallops were just divine, and we savoured every mouthful.  Washed down with a large cup of tasty coffee, we all declared the meal was perfect.  So perfect, in fact, that Robin and I plan to return there again very shortly.

Sitting in the sunshine

After lunch we drove the short distance to Miramar and we spotted the newly refurbished Roxy Theatre – another place on our “must do soon” list.  Not today, though, our destination was The Weta Cave. 

The Weta Cave is a Wellington treasure and entry is free.  The small theatre screens a behind-the-scenes look at Weta Workshops and interviews with Weta co-founders Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Jamie Selkirk, telling of the creativity and imagination that goes into crafting the art of Weta.  Although Sue and Glennis were well aware of Lord of the Rings and King Kong films, they were astounded to learn of the huge number of other projects that the company has been involved in. 

I’m coming to get you

The mini-museum is chock full of some of the characters, props and displays from the many movies which Weta worked on.  And look, here is Gollum, still pining for “His Precious”.

Gollum

Lurtz Chief of the Uruk-hai from LOTR

Attention to detail is the Weta trademark and we read how the chain mail and armour were made.  Housing a blacksmith's shop and a comprehensive leatherworking studio, Weta Workshop has the facility to produce full plate, medieval styled articulated armour, any period leather armour and components, and modern war and security breastplates, shields and body armour. 

Chain mail display

Leaving the monsters and the creative genius of their creators behind, we climbed back in the 4WD and headed back home for a refreshing cuppa.  It had been quite a day and we were ready to relax and put our feet up.