Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite tutu-clad traveller, and I'm back from a whirlwind trip to Wellington, New Zealand! This charming city, with its stunning harbour and buzzing cultural scene, stole my heart, especially when I realised the local wildlife was positively thrilled to meet my pink tutu!
I know, I know! Some of you might be thinking, "Wellington? What's the deal with this place, Em?". Well, let me tell you, it's absolutely blooming gorgeous! I arrived by train, naturally - gotta love those romantic journeys, even if I did get a little giddy from all the breathtaking scenery zipping by. It reminded me of something out of a fairytale, with lush green hills tumbling into crystal-clear waters, all against the backdrop of the most stunning sunsets.
Once in Wellington, I headed straight to a delicious café, "The Cupcake Carousel". Just saying the name made me feel giddy! Can you even imagine? Cupcakes spun around and around in a magnificent, delicious dance? It was a sight to behold!
My love affair with this city continued, naturally, with a visit to the iconic Wellington Opera House. It's truly magnificent! It's a classic, grand building with intricate architecture, and it almost whispered "ballerina, come inside, come dance".
Now, I couldn't go to Wellington without experiencing their local ballet company, The New Zealand Dance Company! Their performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" was absolutely exquisite! The dancers were so graceful, and I could practically smell the magic in the air. I must confess, it gave me such a case of tutu envy! I found myself wishing I was up there twirling with them. Maybe one day!
But let's talk food, my favourite subject. Now, I don't know if you guys are aware, but Wellington is a true foodie haven! They take their food seriously, and you bet your bottom dollar I did too! There are cafes tucked down charming cobblestone streets, hidden gems that would make even a seasoned foodie drool!
First stop? The infamous "Tutu Diner." Just hear me out - I know the name sounds ridiculous, but this diner, right next to the Botanic Gardens, has the most exquisite veggie burgers. You know I love to treat my little ballerina body to good things. Then, I hopped over to the "The Wellington Bakehouse", a whimsical, tiny, perfectly pink bakery overflowing with everything from artisan loaves to those tempting macarons I can't resist! My fellow tututistas, trust me, Wellington does deliciousness better than just about anyone!
Of course, no trip is complete without a visit to the local zoo. Wellington Zoo is not your average, dreary animal enclosure. Imagine this: adorable penguins waddling along a picturesque shoreline! I'm not kidding, darling, you practically could have patted their little flippers! They even had a kiwi, which was pretty spectacular, considering this adorable bird is considered a national treasure in New Zealand. They even offered tutu-themed penguin cuddles, but they weren't convinced it was a great idea. Darn.
Now, my darlings, you know my motto: "See the world in a pink tutu!" So, naturally, I hit up some local craft markets and came across the most fabulous tutu-themed jewellery. A delicate silver necklace adorned with a tiny tutu charm - I'm wearing it as we speak! And if you're looking for a perfect gift for your ballerina friend, look no further - they also sold ballerina shoes designed as earrings, rings, and bracelets. You know what they say, every outfit needs a touch of ballerina magic!
As I'm typing this, I can still almost hear the sound of the sea gently crashing against the shoreline, a calming melody that whispered goodbye to me as I boarded my train home. I feel like my heart, a little bigger, will carry this city’s vibrant energy with me always, as will its lovely little treasures I collected on my journey, especially a hand-knitted tutu-themed rug made by an elderly lady on a Wellington street corner. It was the most wonderfully charming thing, and I practically burst into a twirl when I saw it!
Oh, and to answer the question on your minds, darling. Yes, the locals embraced the tutu wholeheartedly. A sweet lady at the train station said I looked "stunning", while a gentleman at a bookshop insisted on buying me a coffee because my tutu “brought a touch of whimsy" to his day. See? Every town deserves a pink tutu. That's my dream, to inspire people to be more adventurous and express themselves. Maybe a world where everyone's a ballerina is just around the corner. Just gotta make it happen.
Now, go on, tutu darlings. It's your turn. Go live life in full bloom, with a dash of magic and a whole lot of fun.
See you next time!
Much Love,
Emma xxx
P.S You can always find my latest adventures on my daily blog at www.pink-tutu.com! And if you’re feeling inspired, don’t forget to share your own travel adventures and let's spread the pink tutu love together!
