Shona goes WOW

WOW is a typically quirky kiwi festival called the World Of Wearable art - an amazing spectacle and show of whacky talent from around the world where models wear anything that can be called 'art', eg a sports car, a hill with sheep on it, a vase of flowers, a ships funnel etc etc!. These are some pictures of the ones in previous shows - we weren't allowed to take photos in the event. It wasn't just a catwalk of the spectacular wearable art, it was a complete spectacle with a Cirque de Soliel type stage show including an exploding volcano with lava flowing down it, a blues band and dance macabre, superb Maori dancing, trapeze artists appearing from the roof etc etc and lots of fun and mime shows. One of the best things I've seen ever!

I had a fabulous weekend down in Wellington where the show is held with our lovely friend Janet, who booked the whole thing. During our packed weekend in Wellington (so packed we didn't have time to eat on Saturday evening!!) we saw amazing things including the superb Gallipoli exhibition at Te Papa the national museum. The models were 2 + 1/2 times life size and were stunning and shocking - I had to sit down and be quiet for a while after seeing it. The models were made by Weta Workshop (which did all the models, weapons, sets etc for the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings/Avatar etc)

We also went round the Weta Workshops on a tour and met some of the people who made the Gallipoli models. Such amazing talent in this country.

 

 You can imagine the impact of these completely lifelike models at 2 1/2 times life size. - shocking.

 These LOR figures are at Wellington Airport.

We had a fantastic weekend, and laughed such a lot.

As it was arranged before we knew we were moving  we flew from Tauranga, which gave me the chance to see quite a few of my friends down there. I loved going back to the Hot Pools and my favourite coffee shop - Pronto. So lovely to stay with Mary and see the girls from the book club and visit my old mates in the Op shops!

 

It also allowed me to sadly say goodbye to my friend Sally at her funeral - a very lovely lady who was so very kind and welcoming to me when I first arrived.