Today we went to the Art Deco centre and joined a group to tour the town.

It started off with a half an hour long video all about the town just before the 1930s earthquake, the actual earthquake and immediately afterwards. There were stills and videos of everything and it was very interesting. Then our guide took us around the main streets pointing out Art Deco of shop facades and interiors. We viewed the inside of a few times of the buildings too.

Here are some of the many photos I took….

Afterwards we sat outside a cafe in the shade. 29*c today and humid.

We knew there was an amazing viewpoint not to miss beyond Hastings above Havelock North called Te Mata Park. So that’s where we went to next. 399metres high with views over Heretaunga Plains and Hawke’s Bay including Napier.

The views were 360* and the road goes right to the top of the cliffs. We parked up just short of this. There were different walks to do but not today. It is too hot and they are really hilly.

Back along the coast we stopped at a wetlands reserve. There is a Maori compass marked out to follow where the stars rise and set in the sky, along with Maori carvings too.

There were not many birds out there today but sometimes there are spoonbills so we must go back before we leave.

It is raining on and off now but it’s supposed to be very dry and hot again tomorrow.

This sculpture is called the Spirit of Napier