Napier
Trip Start
Jan 15, 2007
1
56
63
Trip End
May 30, 2007
Napier, New Zealand
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
We left Taupo and travelled east along the Thermal highway (the volcanic activity in this area means there are lots of thermal springs and hot pools). Our destination was the town of Napier which was destroyed in 1931 by an earthquake and fire. The rebuilding of the city in the following years meant that most of the architecture was Art Deco in style and Napier is supposed to be one of the worlds best examples of an Art deco town.
It is an absolutely beautiful place and the art deco style is evident everywhere although there are a handful of buildings that really standout, including the tobacco company headquarters and Daily Telegraph building. You can do guided walks or tours in a 1930's car and each February they have a 30s festival.
We left Napier and travelled up the rugged east coast via the Pacific Coast highway (lots more windy roads) stopping in the one house town of Morere which is noted for its hot springs which we intend to visit tomorrow morning.
