13.01.2020 - Day 18 - Napier, New Zealand

Theme of the day: Art Deco! Napier is like the Mecca for Art Deco fans worldwide. In February 1931, there was a devastating earthquake here, which almost completely destroyed the entire city. In less than 2 years, they rebuilt pretty much everything, especially the business district, exclusively in the Art Deco style. These 150 (!) two-storey buildings are still almost in their original condition and give the city center the charm of the 1930s. To educate ourselves a bit more, we also took part in a guided tour, led by an older gentleman who was occasionally a bit confused, and who possibly even came from that era 😜or at least perfectly embodied the spirit of the 1930s. And even though he mumbled a bit, and that too with a broad New Zealand accent, we were still able to learn quite a few interesting things.

In the afternoon, it suddenly started pouring rain, so we drove to the harbor in the evening to have dinner at 'The Thirsty Whale' 🐳.

Tomorrow morning, we will leave Napier towards Lake Taupo, where we will spend the next two days at the 'Flying Trout Lodge'.