Napier for New Year

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We left for Napier on Dec 30th for New Year and for Andy and Sara's wedding (that's friends of Dave's for those of you who don't know!). It took us about 2 1/2 hrs to get there since we did a few tourist stops along the way. Our first tourist activity was Craters of the Moon, which is a basically an underground volcano but all we see is the steam coming up from the ground. It took us about 40 mins to walk through and had lots of steam vents and mud pools to look at.

We had about a week in Napier, so we spent most of our time touring around and doing the various things around the city. We went to the Aquarium one day and watched sharks being feed, went to the longest place name in the world which is a hill top, and went to the top of Te Mata peak which is part of the mountain range. We also celebrated New Year in Napier with a group of Dave's friends. A few drinks were had and we watched the fireworks from the balcony of Andy's parents place. It was a pretty low key NY since Andy's stag was held the next day.

The weather was kinda crappy most of the time in Napier but we did have 2 great sunny days, one was the day we went to the Gannets and the second was for the wedding. The Gannets is the largest population of Australian Gannets in the Southern Hemisphere. We rode along the beach on trailers pulled by tractors, our drivers had a fun time driving us through the water and making sure everyone got wet! On the way to the gannets we passed along cliffs that at one time used to be under the ocean but have been pushed up by earthquakes. We could also see fault lines from where the cliffs had shifted. All in all it was a really good day, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like birds!
The second sunny day was Andy and Sara's wedding which was held at the Church Road Winery. Good time was had by all with the help of alcohol and dancing!

We left Napier on Jan 7 and headed to Taupo to visit another Andy!

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Photos

Craters of the Moon
One of the many steam holes

Craters of the Moon
The mud pools

Longest Place Name
Try saying that name 3 times fast,or even once!

View from the Top
This is the view from Andy's parents place in Napier

Te Mata Peak
This is the view from the top of the peak looking towards Napier

The Faultline
this moved 3m in an earthquake many, many, moons ago

The Happy Couple
A beautiful day for Andy & Sara's wedding at one of the most prestigious wineries in the country, nice cars too.

Comments

[Erin (snacks in my shoes)]

Hey Guys!
Hey Guys! Looks like you guys are having a great time!! The pics are beautiful! Keep in mind the best place incase I ever get a chance to travel!! Missed a good time at New Years...we didn't actually sit on our chairs...we stood on them...and Lyndsay and I were SOOO MUCH FUN! Take care, can't wait to hear more!! Erin