Early last century, there was a major earthquake in Hawkes Bay,
the region was almost destroyed.
Funnily enough, it was this disaster that made Napier the unique place that it is today.
The architecture of the time, what is now known as "Art Deco", transformed Napier into a city of beautiful buildings
They celebrate this phenomenon with an Art Deco Week. I have pulled a few photos out of archives of an earlier trip, to demonstrate how mad they all are.
Bit much for Mr Heinz. Nap anyone?
Back to the Now
Mary took me to the local Market in the City.
Now you get great local produce here
The bread store made this wonderful fruit loaf. German apparently
I think I will try and make it
Set around Clive Square
Fairly attractive surroundings, I reckon
This is the outlook from The Heinzie's apartment. I love the metal palm tree
So Mary and I went into the city, to shop for the dog
The Pet Shop is huge
I love their sign, "It's Where Your Pets Would Shop"
Of course they would
We also popped into "2 Fat Lattes"
Thanks Jackie, lovely coffee and food
What a great idea for the tables.
Old handwritten recipes laminated onto the Tables
Outside the Cafe was this cute little scooter
Very creative I feel
There are many Art Deco buildings as I previously mentioned.
I was taken with this one. I love the windows
A lovely Art Deco Shop
How about these Gollywogs
Interestingly enough, these originated in Egypt.
Mary had some more friends over for dinner and cooked up a wonderful roast of Pork.
We were really impressed, bought from the Mad Butcher, Only $20
It fed 7 of us at dinner
Sandwiches the next day for lunch and an old fashioned Cold Meat Salad and Potatoes for dinner
Mary even made, the old fashioned Layered Salad, using Iceberg Lettuce. Fabulous
Mary booked tickets for us to go to the Local Theatrette. The Movie was "7 Psychopaths"
Excellent movie. Great little theatre, only seats about 40 people. I loved the way the lady on the front desk came in and chattered to us before the movie started. Bit of info about the movie etc.
Just like the old days.
Heinzie, Dale and I took Dajo the dog, for a play on the park along the seaside
Dale is not one of the world's best Dog Lovers
The Dog loves him though.
Not sure who loves the game most of all Heinzie or the Dog
Drinks anyone? Water for the dog, beers for Dale and Heinzie
Dale and Dajo resting after a busy morning
We also caught up with an old mate from the last century
Doug, looking a little po faced. Mind you the only one looking good is Dale
I'm not too crisp, I feel
One should leave before one is asked to leave, I always feel. Mary had to go to work
So it was up to Heinzie to Farewell us
So Goodbye Napier, you are worth a visit