Guy of Gisborne, as well as the Art Deco Captal

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Hey,

We visited Napier after Wellington, it is apparently the Art Deco Capital of the World. An Earthquake destroyed most of the place in 1931 and it was rebuilt with the help of some of the best contemporary architects of the period: basically they "pimped up" the place incorporating a lot of styles from Art Deco.

On our first night we went to the Hot Spas in the city, everywhere in New Zealnd seems to have these outdoor hot pools and they are cheap as chips to use. The next day we done a self guided tour of the place stopping at various places to read out an explanation from the booklet about certain buildings and their "Art Deco feel", Was a really nice city.

After touring Napier we bombed onto Gisborne, whilst Napier is famous for it's Art Deco Architecture, Gisborne is famed for being "The Most Easterly City in the World". Apparently it's the nearest City to the International Date Line and therfore the first City to see sunlight each morning. Gisborne is also the first place where Geordie Dave's namesake Captain Cook stopped in New Zealand when he discovered it in 1769. At Poverty Bay in Gisborne, so named because when Cook stopped here for munitions his men came away empty handed after scuffling with local Maori, there is a statue of JC standing on top of the World. Another statue is of Young Nick, a humble Cabin Boy on Cook's Ship the Endeavour, who was the crew member who actually shouted "Land Ahoy!"- nice to see some of the "smaller fish" getting some recognition! there must be a place called Gisborne in England, but i've never heard of it, the reason I say that is because I remember in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves the first person that Robin Hood has a scuffle with is "Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff's Cousin"!?- Random, memory!

After our whistle stop visit to Gisborne the next day we hit the road again heading for the East Cape region, it won't suprise you to hear that this is THE most Easterly point in New Zealand. After driving over a rocky road for what seemed like forever we took a walk up hundreds of steps at this hill before finally arriving at a lighthouse (The most Easterly in the World)- the tourism industry really do hammer home the fact that they are pretty far east around these parts!?! Was a knackering walk up the steps to reach the Lighthouse but it was worth it for the views over the sea at the top.

After walking to the Lighthouse we headed along the coast road, which was quite rugged, especially as it was a grey rainy day. We checked into a fantastic looking hostel about 1 hour past Hicks Bay, called Maraehako Bay Retreat. After turning off from the main road we had to drive along a muddy track through fields of horses before finally reaching the hostel by the sea. The place was wooden, and had about three levels- as well as the rough sea and huge rocks there was a waterfall just next to the place and these three huge trees, whose branches roamed freely in and around the hostel grounds. It only had room for about 15 guests but fortunately for us it isn't busy at this time of year! That night we chilled out in the Hot Spa that they had, just next to where the waterfalll is, apparently in the summer you can just chill in the Spa and fish in the stream all day!

We had planned to do a Horse Trek the next day but as the weather was still pretty bad that was a no go so we headed onto Rotorua instead, which is where I am now.

Till next time,

Mike

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Photos

A bit of Deco
They had decorative circular plaques like this one scattered around the city.

JJ by a fountain typed thingy
No doubt contemplating some of the Art Deco Architecture

Little John and Guy of Gisborne the Sherriff's Cousin
At the Captain Cook statue in Gisborne. Wilson didn't have much trouble getting into the role of Noble to pose for this photo!

Land Ahoy!
Young Nick and Young Mick at the Bay of Poverty

East Cape.
The Lighthouse used to be on the Island in the background but was transported years later to it's current location (conveniently just out of shot in front of me!). The sun must've been in my eyes for this photo.

Our little hostel by the sea.
Ready to hit the road again.