Art Deco
Trip Start
Dec 12, 2004
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11
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Trip End
Aug 20, 2005
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Napier, New Zealand
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Napier was hit by a disastrous earthquake in 1931 that measured 7.9 on the richter scale, destroyed the original town and killed 250 people. As a result Napier grew when the sea bed brought a further 40 sq km above sea level and the city was rebuilt over two years in the Art Deco style. We were shown a video detailing the history of the town and buildings and then took a walking tour.
Many influences can be seen in the buildings including Frank Lloyd Wright, the Spanish missionaries and even some Irish. Our walk included a trip to the coastline which was beautiful and bordered with a garden area and fountain which the mayor at the time of re-construction ordered to be lit at night, to cheer up the depressed locals. Palmerston North is next, as our last stop off before Wellington....
