Last night around 8 p.m. I walked up Mount Victoria for the first time. I’ve lived in Wellington for about three months, so that’s pretty shameful considering it’s one of the most popular things to do in the city.

Originally I thought about visiting the famous lookout point during the day, but when I mentioned it at work someone advised me to go at night as the view is absolutely amazing.

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

He was right.

As the last bit of the day drifted away, this gorgeous fading blue sky came out. Black mountains surrounded speckled lights from the city’s nightlife.

At 196 meters, Mt. Vic is the highest point in Wellington. Originally named Tangi Te Keo by Maoris, it offers a 360 view of the city, it’s suburbs and the water that surrounds the city.

There are several pathways to reach Mt. Vic, which can be by car or on foot. It’s more of a challenge on foot though. Traditionally, people use the Southern Walkway to reach Mt. Vic lookout point, but a friend who led me last night took me on a more exciting path that went past a barbecue on a stairway and a secret garden, which we may or may not have been trespassing.

Have you visited Mt. Vic lookout? Share your experience and images below!

26 October 2011-A couple thousand people fill Civic Square in Wellington chanting “All Blacks, All Blacks, All Blacks.”

After a few introductions, the 2011 World Cup champions walk out just after noon waving to a slightly soggy Wellington crowd. A little rain and wind didn’t stop thousands of people from taking to the city streets to catch a glimpse of the world champs. This is the team’s third stop around the country after winning the World Cup against France on Sunday.

Parading from Civic Square to Parliament on flatbeds connected to Ford trucks, the All Blacks were all smiles as they greeted fans, signed rugby balls and posters and showed off the Webb Ellis Cup.

With only two days to get from NJ to Alabama for a wedding Ric was best man at, I didn’t have much time to show Ric the East Coast of the USA. (And we had even less time after getting a flat tire in Maryland, but anyway…)

One stop on our mini-road trip of course had to be my nation’s capital, Washington D.C. It’s a stop anyone visiting the States should try and fit in, and one all Americans should get to, if not for patriotism, then just for a visit to a great city.

Ric explained our quick, cheap tour in a post earlier this week, but I wanted to look back on some of the memorable images from that day.

The Vietnam Memorial by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

The first time I visited the Vietnam Memorial as a child there were a lot paintings of sad people looking into the wall as a soldier stared back at them. Visiting the memorial with my dad and having him point out people he went to high school with was a pretty harsh reality of just how hard war hits home.

The Lincoln Memorial by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

This was my favorite image from our trip to D.C. Ric was so excited to visit the capitol and up until we got there I was only excited to show him it. Because I’ve been so focused on traveling abroad, I kind of forget how special it is to travel America. Once I got to D.C. it finally hit me how much is left to explore of my homeland.

The Washington Monument by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

I know I didn’t perfect this shot, but I think it’s a pretty classic one. So many school trip come through D.C. a day. No matter what your party of interest, most of us want to see a better America for the next generation. Seeing kids smiling and playing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking out to the Washington monument is a good reminder of that.

Have a favorite shot of Washington D.C.? Share is below or one Heels and Wheels’ Facebook page.

Luxury is…

your very own hammock on the porch of your very own hut, overlooking your very own lagoon on Koh Chang, Thailand,

Photo by Richard John Hackey

a bed on an overnight bus in Laos,

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

private tuk tuk transportation in Bangkok, Thailand,

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

complimentary robes,

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

driving a Mercedes convertible along the Pacific Coast Highway in California,

Photo by Richard John Hackey

an infinity pool…anywhere

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

and a room with a view in Vang Vieng, Laos.

Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

What is luxury to you?