Saturday 31st March 2018

This was a 'free' day' in Nelson. So, after having coffee and hot cross buns (which we had bought yesterday at a bakery in town) in our room, we headed into town. One of our destinations was a museum called WoW. We weren't sure where it was but it popped up right on the way into town so we took a quick diversion and stopped there at about 9.30 a.m. The time is significant because although the place does not open until 10 a.m., the cafe does and the cafe has great home-made pastries and also, very good coffee. So the wait for opening was not to uncomfortable.

 There are few words to describe this place better than its name. It is the most remarkable place. There is a museum of 'wearable art' which is amazing and outrageous. It is very well presented and staged and the galleries are just stunning. I think this must be one of the best kept secrets of New Zealand and even the world. 







A selection of the 'wearable art' display.
Then, after visiting the 'wearable art' there is the most incredible collection of motor cars from all over the world and in the most immaculate condition. There are old US cars, British and other European cars as well as makes and models I have never heard of. This is the collection of one man and it has got to be one of the most extensive in the world. The cars have been restored in a workshop and photos show how they 'nut and bolt' restore the vehicles from the 'ground up'. Many of the cars are very old but many are quite recent such as the DeLorean and some of the newer models of Jaguar and Ferrari. 
After spending some time at the exhibit we then spent some money in the gift shop!! Buying some art and jewelry from their beautiful collection. This place if a jewel in itself and we were lucky to stumble upon it on our way into town.












Just some of the huge collection of cars
We carried on into town, found a place to park and then visited to large and bustling Saturday Nelson market. This is in a large square where there are stall of all kinds. There are crafts from local craftsmen and women, food stuffs such as honey, cheese, fish, meats and fruits as well as hot food stands. The market was quite crowded as it was a very nice day. We bought a few things mostly for people back home.

 Hunger pangs creeping on we sought out one of the restaurants which was on the 'best' list, Urban Oyster Bar. Here we had some ceviche and salad. We were a little disappointed that there seems to be so little fish on the menus we have seen so far. With the country surrounded by water, we expected fish and lamb to be the staple diet. But fish is hard to find on any menu and if there is some there is just one.

 While we sat outside having our lunch a couple came and had a drink and some chips at an adjacent table. They paid and left and within seconds two very hungry gulls swooped down and, in their haste to get at the residual chips, managed to knock a glass off the table and smash it much to the annoyance of the staff!

 After lunch we visited Queens Gardens which are very beautiful even if the roses have 'gone by' what were left were still enough to brighten the place up. There are many ducks on the ponds and in the ponds are eels which is a change from goldfish!!

 There are many beautiful tress in New Zealand and there are some great specimens in the gardens which are not too large but compact. Just outside the gardens is the Suter Gallery which we had been told to be sure to visit but, at this time, tiredness was setting in and we set off back to the car. On the way we passed the Theater Royal which had a repertory production of 'The Full Monty' playing. When we got back to the hotel, we decided that, instead of having yet another dinner we would see what the play was like having already seen the Broadway production. So we bought tickets on-line.

 After a rest, we set off back to town and the theater. The show was quite fun but, as one might imagine, it was a bit amateurish but the cast put their best efforts into it and it got lots of laughs from the audience and the ending, of course, got a standing ovation!! It was an enjoyable evening and made a change from just eating our way through New Zealand!!

 Nelson is a small town or city but it is very pleasant to stay a couple of days as there are quite a few things to see, not all of which we managed to get to.

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