Apparently only 2%

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We did allude to the fact haven’t seen much arm candy, and the latest survey shows only 2% of kiwi women think they are beautiful! The other thing that is rare around here is recycling bins, the amount of stuff that could be recycled that intstead goes to landfill is astonishing. But try telling a kiwi that, the special UN reporter was ridiculed on breakfast tv for mentioning it. That is the sort of 40yr old feel you get here - we’re a beautifuly island and we don’t need change. As to the logging, well there are huge forests that are logged then replanted and then again there are scenes along the road that seem quite out of place (see photo) .

We’ve moved from Rotorua to Napier, and along to Hastings. jb has driven over a 1,000 miles - I’ve snoozed after my favourite tipple of the moment - Lindauer fraise at best price so far of £3.66 + free lip gloss! fab. Napier was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, and rebuilt in record time in lovely art deco style, sadly a lot of the buildings now have trashy new signage. We sat outside a cafe yesterday morning looking up at a beautiful art deco frieze that was neglected - holes drilled in it to make way for flourescent strip lighiting. Headiing through north island and hoping to meet up with a new zealander friend who used to live in uk and has since returned to nz so may get more of an idea of the politics of the country first hand as opposed to newspapers and local news.

We’ve finally found somewhere with a bit of something about it - Napier. First thing about it you notice is that it’s almost all Deco, second thing is that they’ve made an industry out of it, third thing is that people get dressed up - even if they are the shop owners and are in period costume. Its also got beach which endears it to us. First stay in an NZ motel (of which there appear to be thousands), and the experience isn’t at all bad. Prices are reasonable and the rooms are neat and clean and almost all have Sky, so at last can get into a bit of footie, even if it is at 7 in the morning much to B’s chagrin. Next morning in Napier we notice that it’s not just the shop owners who get dressed up, some of the regular people on the street have made an effort even if, as usual, I haven’t. Still like the place even though the scrambled eggs we have for breakfast are disturbingly tasteless. Have to say that as well as being the worst place for internet connection (and that includes Thailand) NZ is shaping up to be the worst for eating out as well. Can’t imagine why as all the raw ingredients are readily available, we know because we are now trying to self-cater at every opportunity. We’ve moved just up the road to Hastings which is quite like Napier, but without the charm, the dressing up and of course, the beach. The motel we’re in now is OK too, £11 a night cheaper than in Napier, still fine, but one part of it seems to be occupied by the kids mentioned earlier who get a government grant not to live with their parents. They’re not a problem, but it does feel a bit strange to be living on top of a self-run childrens home. Got Sky though!!! Hastings also promises a half-decent internet cafe - if you’re reading this then you know it to be true. Swapping coasts tomorrow, off to the Kapiti coast, north of Wellington, for the last few days on the North island

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Photos

Hastings Clock Tower
complete with sheep

Napier Masonic Hall
relatively unspoilt

Daily Telegraph building
is the Bayleys sign really necessary?

Napier frontage
spoilt

Napier monument
pristine