Hey darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed Emma here, reporting live from the stunning city of Wellington, New Zealand! Oh, how I love this city! It's got such a unique energy, buzzing with culture and nestled between mountains and the sparkling sea - simply divine!
This trip has been all about delicious food, fabulous ballet, and a whole lot of exploring, of course. Let's dive into my adventures!
A Feast for the Senses
Wellington is a culinary haven! From the freshest seafood imaginable (I'm talking about the most divine oysters, I've ever tasted!) to the most imaginative street food, every corner of this city seems to offer a new gastronomic adventure.
My absolute favourite find? A tiny cafe tucked away in a side street. Imagine my delight when I discovered they served afternoon tea, complete with dainty finger sandwiches, warm scones, and an assortment of delicate cakes - all perfectly presented. It was just like a scene from a Jane Austen novel! It was simply divine and set the perfect scene for an afternoon of catching up on my diary.
Speaking of catching up, I managed to get hold of the most beautiful, pink, silky scarf in the most vibrant hue! I canāt wait to style it with my ballet outfits!
Wellington on Four Legs and a Steamer
The best part of arriving in Wellington was the journey! Imagine the scene ā the majestic hillsides of Derbyshire gave way to rolling green countryside, before we boarded the grand, historic steamer. We chugged our way towards Wellington, while the sun set and the colours of the sky turned the water into molten gold. Truly breathtaking!
From Wellington's harbour, I set off on an incredible journey across the hills of this amazing country. Imagine my delight when I saw a herd of wild horses galloping across the landscape - the wild beauty of it all! This journey is surely an adventure to be treasured, you donāt need to take a trip in a glamorous car or a swanky aeroplane to feel that feeling of wonder and awe! This experience will surely live in my heart, along with a special memory of meeting a group of penguins by the coast.
Iām sure youāll all agree - a train journey through the British countryside is utterly charming. It was a brilliant way to soak in the local atmosphere, and to let my mind wander to where my dancing could take me next. I love feeling so connected to the rhythm of life. The soft rocking motion of the train, the whispering wind, and the constant movement all have me daydreaming about new ballets and the stories they can tell. My bodyās never stopped moving - it has a life of its own - thatās the joy of a ballerina's life - and my mindās never stopped exploring new dance steps, which brings me back to...
A Symphony of Movement: Ballet in the Capital
Of course, no trip to Wellington would be complete without indulging in some divine ballet. And, Wellington is, after all, the capital of New Zealand - the heart and soul of the countryās artistic life!
I was so lucky to get tickets to see āGiselleā, which is a ballet performance by the New Zealand School of Dance. This is surely one of the worldās most popular ballet stories. I think itās the hauntingly beautiful love story that captivates the audience ā so passionate, romantic, and so utterly thrilling!
And the choreography was just breathtaking! It was full of such incredible movement, every leap and arabesque was so graceful and expressive. And donāt even get me started on the costumes, the dancers in those delicate tutus and elegant dresses ā just the most exquisite sight! I've always been a sucker for a stunning performance!
It was also amazing to see how much energy the performance had - even though the story is so tragic, thereās such a positive and inspiring quality about āGiselleā which leaves the audience buzzing with excitement and enthusiasm for this beautiful, powerful art form!
Wellingtonās Heart of Ballet
After such a thrilling performance, I decided to try a class at the Royal New Zealand Ballet School, it's so inspiring to watch the next generation of dancers developing their craft. What impressed me the most is the level of dedication the students have to the art form. It truly warmed my heart and fuelled my passion for this amazing form of artistic expression. I love to experience this from time to time as a reminder that although you may have spent years on training and are well established, itās important to keep going! You're always learning something new and thatās why this form of dance continues to bring me such joy! It was a lovely experience!
Bringing a Little Pink Tutu Magic to Wellington
Of course, my journey wasn't complete without sharing some of the magic that I carry with me, my love of pink tutus, and my dream of a world where everyone dances with joy! While wandering through Wellington, I started chatting with people, and I had a little mission to encourage people to put on their dancing shoes - so to speak, by giving out small tutu sashes, I couldn't resist introducing a bit of pink to Wellington's street life. And what better place to spread the tutu-love than at a vibrant farmerās market with the most exquisite local produce, where everyone was brimming with energy, sunshine, and so many smiles! And so, Wellington became a touch brighter, and I was met with a surge of joyful energy as the sashes brought a little bit of tutu magic to every single one who put them on! It was magical, really. People were dancing on the streets, beaming, and embracing life's little moments!
Oh, and the pink flamingo, my trusty sidekick and constant source of inspiration, had a blast too. He really did love mingling amongst all the amazing food, especially the fresh fruits and vegetables! I could tell it gave him some amazing food inspiration. Iām sure he's going to use his imaginative powers to bring the colour pink and the joy of ballet to every corner of the world - as only a flamboyant pink flamingo can! Heās like my ballet guru!
Until Next Time, My Delights!
Wellington, you truly captured my heart with your unique charm, gourmet food, and beautiful landscapes. You are the definition of my mantra, live, laugh and be yourself - all embraced within your warm embrace.
But now, my dear darlings, itās time for this pink tutu ballerina to flit onto new adventures!
Iām off on a new escapade and you'll have to follow my every dance step on www.pink-tutu.com - the journey has just begun.
Remember: Wear your pink tutu, twirl with confidence, and never stop dancing through life!
Love and Twirls,
Emma x
