A road trip to the capitol city was always in the cards but became more urgent as the application window opened for extended stay visas for French Polynesia. Current visas allow for a 90 day stay; extend visas up to a year - more flexibility, more opportunities to explore the islands. Why Wellington? It appears the French like their bureaucracy as much as any country. Not only was there an extensive online application but also an interview requirement at the closest French Embassy, which happens to be in Wellington. We were lucky to snag the last appointment before an early holiday closing - Christmas Eve no less! We thought we were adequately prepared; however, we didn't have printed copies of everything we had submitted online. Dutifully, we were sent away, secured our papers and returned to wrap things up right before closing. Whew! That said, we were informed that our materials would go to Papeeta, Tahiti for review, and to expect at least a two month wait. Fingers crossed.
The drive down, nearly nine hours, was picture perfect - mountains and valleys; sheep and goats grazing on the lushly green but incredibly steep slopes, and gnarly wooded glens. Flashbacks to the Lord of the Rings movies were inevitable.
Wellington is pretty cosmopolitan, with a modern skyline, fancy hotels and cuisines to fit any taste. I tasted my first Vietnamese egg coffee. Here's a bit of history (as conveyed to me): it was created in 1946 by a hotel bartender in Hanoi by substituting egg yolks and condensed milk for fresh milk, which was scarce. His creamy concoction achieved the cafe au lait people desired. It's delicious, a cross between a coffee and dessert, rich dark coffee with creme brulee accents and so creamy. Try it if you get the chance.