Well, I haven’t woken up with a thick head after all the fun last night. I guess the truth of the matter is that it doesn’t take much to make me sing!
Napier is a fascinating little city. It was completely flattened by a violent earthquake in 1930 and rebuilt in the art deco style. My guess is that nothing much happened then and the town fell asleep, with the consequence that no modernisation occurred. In the 1980’s they woke up to the potential of their perfect example of an art deco town and put by laws into place which prohibited unsympathetic new building. It is absolutely delightful – we are looking forward to a bus tour of the whole place later today. I guess that we may be parted from a bit of cash today – there are some very interesting looking shops!
We have just popped our clothes into the laundramat which might provide a chance to look into the cathedral which is opposite. We could have come with just one suit case, everything is geared up for travellers like us who have come for a long time. The weather is looking good and I anticipate another great day in Napier. (By the way, travelling through the mountains to get here yesterday it absolutely bucketed down - quite nerve-racking driving conditions! Of course we had a picnic which had to be eaten in the car at a beauty spot overlooking a cloud filled valley!!).
Nigel – The wine tour was excellent, although some of the terminology was a little daunting, particularly after the first tasting. The wineries were lovely, one was an ultramodern stome and wood construction, and the other was an old style colonial run by catholic priests. The food was equally excellent, Marion has fabulous stuffed rabbit. The platters to start with contained huge mussels, and great curried squid.
The hotel we are staying in is beautifully restored, everything in a thirties style. Slept really well last night looking forward to a day of exploring.
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