WORLD OF WEARABLE ARTS WELLINGTON EXTRAVAGANZA : Sept 24th -26th, 2010

"Step into a world where art and the human form combine
Where dance, music and lighting tell a story of the body as a canvas
Where the lines of fashion and art blur and merge as one"

Day One

The ‘World of Wearable’ Art experience in Wellington begins with flight arrivals about 8am. It’s Early Birdz to the fore and its time to get to know Wellington, old and new. Maori legend tells of how Maui, the polynesian navigator, caught the fish that became the North Island of NZ. Wellington’s earliest name is ‘ Te Upoko o te ika a Maui’, the head of Maui’s fish. Today, it is the arts and cultural centre of New Zealand.

The ‘Boulcott Suites’ in down town Wellington will be our top floor accommodation for the next two amazing nights. With 5 star suites that cater for all needs, we are spoilt with the city view from all angles, sunrise and sunset. Wellington performs at its best over the WOW Arts ten day extravaganza and ‘the Road Less Travelled’ embraces these magical moments.There is plenty of personal time to do your own thing over the 3 days and to share girls time together on our discovery of Wellingtons arts and treasures.

Discover and explore downtown Wellington with a very unique Te Papa experience at 2pm, up close and personal, on tour. Te Papa Tongarewa, is New Zealand’s national museum opened in 1998, renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and fun. More than 15 million people have experienced Te Papa’s treasures since opening and the partnership with the people of the land, Tangata Whenua, links past, present and future, in celebration. It is in the meaning of the name Te Papa Tongarewa that we understand the connections and deep links between Mother Earth, treasured things and people.

ZEALANDIA is New Zealand's world-first conservation attraction and at 5pm we will experience New Zealand's award-winning eco-attraction and see Zealandia by night. A ZEALANDIA by Night tour provides a completely different and magical experience. Our tour begins with highlights of a fully immersive and interactive exhibition and the story of how this safe haven was created. Stepping through the predator-exclusion fence into the forest, we will experience something incredible - evening birdsong that hasn't been heard on the mainland for more than a century. As darkness falls our guide will start looking for our elusive national mascot – the kiwi. Over 100 call the valley home, so there’s a good chance of spotting one, foraging in the leaf litter! Often, the glow-worms are so bright you won’t even need your torch! This is an utterly unforgettable experience: New Zealand at its very best.

After this one in a million outing, dinner out and about beckons and a different type of night scene develops. Meet the girls from Wellington and their friends. Time for catch ups, relaxation and new connections.

Day Two

WOW, Saturday is a WOW day, the day of the show and a day to explore the local fab shops, cafes, walks and sights. Whether it be a walk through the beautiful Botanical gardens, where the magnificent blooms of spring bulbs vibrantly catch the eye, a historic ride up on the Wellington Cable car, an epitaph journey through Bolton St cemetery, a photoshop opportunity at the Beehive, (Aotearoa’s political capital), a promenade down the waterfront, (the harbour discovered by Kupe circa 10th century), or a taste or shop sensation Wellington style… all will make your visit to Wellington a wonderful kaleidoscope of textures and experiences.

Wellington Zoo is the home to New Zealand’s native treasures and endangered exotic animals. The vision, for a sustainable co-existence between wildlife and people. 1030am on a guided tour, we will visit the nest and have the opportunity to view the rest of the zoo at our leisure. The Nest – Te Kohanga. Newly opened, it's Wellington Zoo's animal hospital and centre for native wildlife, the largest and most ambitious project in Wellington Zoo’s history. The $6 million facility is helping to improve the lives of animals here at the Zoo, around Wellington and beyond. Each of the facility’s main surgical rooms features a viewing gallery, offering you a unique first-hand glimpse of the veterinary team delivering first-class animal care using state-of-the-art equipment.

Close Encounters is an optional extra for those who want a truly unique animal experience. Roll up your sleeves and prepare to meet some of Wellington Zoo’s most vivacious, loveable and quirky creatures. Close Encounters bring animals and people together—choose from a Big Cat, Cheetah, Red Panda or Giraffe Close Encounter. During your encounter Zoo keepers will tell you about the animal’s personality, history and place in the world. 10 per cent of all proceeds from Close Encounters go towards conservation projects administered through the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund.

The World of Wearable Arts preparation for an incredible night out will begin about late afternoon at our Suites all ready for a 6pm pick up. Tonight is WOW night, dress glam, and experience an amazing cultural art event of world class proportions in some of the best seats in the house, star packages quality. A theatrical extravaganza unparalled as we are captured by the movement and choreography of the dance. In awe the audience is mesmerised as bodies and art merge and blur into a oneness complete. WOW Wellington !!!

Day Three

Sunday in ‘ wonderfully’ Wellington, time for a wander and a day of relaxing ,cruising the city and some time to groove to your own tune.

Wellington Writers Walk will promenade you along the beautiful harbour where 15 text sculptures quote a piece of prose or poetry about Wellington from talented writers who called Wellington home at some stage of their lives.

The Embassy Theatre is New Zealand’s grandest picture palace and was fully refurbished inside and out just in time for the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings – The Return of the King.

Built in 1924, The Embassy is a Wellington icon and landmark situated at the head of New Zealand’s most famous entertainment precinct – Courtenay Place – drawing people from throughout the region and beyond to see all the latest movies in a real cinema environment that is lost in the modern multiplexes. The Embassy was fortunate to not succumb to the demolition ball like most other picture palaces and fortunately had retained many fine features such as marbled staircases, wrought iron handrails, original tiled foyers and exquisite plastered ceilings despite many upgrades over the decades.

With this to build on, the refurbishment included a new; giant cinemascope screen and state-of-the-art sound system, luxury seating, stylish environs and a restoration that is faithful to its origins of the last century yet sympathetic to the new millennium making this the ultimate cinema experience. Living up to its reputation as being more than just a cinema, within its stylish foyers, the Embassy houses Blondini’s Café & Bar – Wellington’s pre-eminent live jazz venue which draws big crowds on the weekends for something that is both special and unique as it overlooks the nightlife of Courtenay Place.

Wellingtonians are very hospitable and service is an art form in itself that the capital city can celebrate with great pride. Girls enjoy the final day in Wellington with more fantastic food, coffees and treats before we head our own separate ways home, new connections made and til we meet again. Thank you all