Day 13 Monday

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Day 13 Monday

We had read a bit about Napier in the guide books and so knew that there was a bit to see that was “Art Deco”. However, the pre-information did not prepare us for the spectacle we encountered today. It was like going back to the thirties or going on to a film set. All the buildings were built and decorated in Art Deco style. Guides in suitable dress were showing tourists round (a couple of cruise ships had arrived so we just followed a guide book – we were conducting our own tour). You could also have a ride about town in a veteran car. Starting at the Art Deco shop we were soon exploring different buildings, looking at the interiors and the way they were built – all in similar style.
The town had been devastated in an earthquake in February 1931 and the fire that followed. However, the town set to quickly reconstruct their buildings, completing the reconstruction in about two years. So the whole place was built in the same style. There were some pre-earthquake surviving buildings, but they had similar architecture. Many of the buildings are listed.

On our private tour, we met an elderly lady walking from a church with some cakes left from a cake stall. She started a conversation, offered us two and then talked about her history (she was from Nottingham, and her daughter lives in Cheltenham). Further along, another resident asked if we had everything we needed. Obviously something gave the game away that we were tourists!

A pie for lunch then off to the wineries for a bit of wine tasting (we decided that the baggage allowance would not allow us to bring home any, so we would have to consume it whilst in NZ). Then up to a local lookout for a smashing view of the area. We wanted to drive along to a local cape (Cape Kidnappers) where there was a colony of gannets, however, shortly before reaching it we realised that the final stretch would be a drive along the beach. We were a bit nervous about this (having a hire car etc.) so had to give this a miss. Had we gone there in the morning, we could have joined a tractor tour to the gannets – that makes sense now. We are cooking for ourselves this evening – tarakihi fillets (that’s a fish) in beer batter.

Extra note: the apartment we are staying in the first to give us emergency procedures in case of an earthquake!!!!!!

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Comments

[Sam Hickie]

A fantastic excuse!!
I like the excuse for having to drink the wine, unfortunately, we do not believe you and we think you were going to drink it anyway!! Keep writing Sam and Andy xx