Any Art Deco Lovers out there?

A couple hours after dropping Jenna off at the Gisborne airport we headed out of town for some more exploration.  This time we were off to Napier, a larger, more touristy city located 3 hours south of Gisborne.  Yes, the same city that Jenna ended up in a couple weeks ago, after her flight to Gisborne was cancelled.  As you may have read, the road to Napier is not fun. In fact one of our guide books says this about it "south on SH2 for the next 100km to Napier is a bitch- one of the island's most up-down twisty chores.  Don't drive it if you are hurried or tired."  I would also like to add to that... don't drive it for the first time if it is raining and pitch black outside.  Not sure I have ever gripped onto a car so tight.   Thank god the kids slept through it.   I think Brett was wishing I would have just fallen asleep as well.... he was not a fan of his wife gasping and screaming "slow down" for 2+ hours.  We both agree that driving those long, straight, cruise control freeways back home is going to feel like preschool.

So, Napier is a very different, interesting city.  Not sure I have ever seen anything like it.  In 1931, Napier had a 7.9 earthquake that pretty much destroyed the city.  It was rebuilt entirely and it was done all in the early 1930's style of Art Deco.  I have always been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and have been intrigued by architecture, but I still didn't think I would I would think that  much of this city.   Well, I was wrong... it just grew and grew on me.  Not sure if Brett was as impressed.   I just couldn't get over how every building in the downtown area was influenced by the 1930's - it was a little like walking back into time.  Also, I can't imagine there can be too many towns that built ALL of their buildings in the 1930's.  No wonder they have a huge Art Deco weekend where everyone dresses up and drives around in old cars.   The city also has a great ocean walkway and lots of cafes and shops. Not a bad place to hang out for the weekend.  Of course, the first day it rained.  But, have to say, part of the weekend get away was getting to stay in a hotel with TV channels (still no TV hooked up at our house).  Brett finally got to watch some rugby.  Still not sure how much he understands.   Otherwise we filled the weekend with a little shopping (I was actually excited to find a K Mart), a trip to the aquarium (saw the rare Kiwi bird), a game of hide and seek in a rainy park, a walk along the ocean, and a round of mini-golf.  Happy to report that the ride home went a lot more smoothly.  And, we topped of the trip with a stop to our favorite hot springs 45 minutes from home.  

The Morere Hot Springs....ahhhhhhh