Napier

Napier Prison backpackers
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From Kaikoura it was back to Picton to cross into the north island. As i had come over by ferry , I took the opportunity to fly this time , especially as it's almost the same price.

I had to ask the pilot to budge up it was that cramped. Well , not really , but it was a tiny plane where everyone got a good view as our faces were squashed against the windows. 20 minutes later we were on terra firma trying to restore circulation in our legs.

After an unremarkable  night back in Wellington , it was off to Napier.

Hung inmate.
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Napier was flattened by an earthquake in 1931 , but it was quickly rebuilt in the then trendy new Art Deco style . They found themselves with 40 sq km more land to as the earthquake pushed sections of the seabed 2m above sea level.

I decided to stay at one of the few buildings that pre-date the earthquake - the oldest prison in NZ. This Victorian prison was in use until 1993 and i'm guessing its not changed that much since the last inmate left. They have at least added a fourth wall to the ( outside ) shower block  but it still gives the chance to get to know your fellow inmates  very well.

My cell
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For the first time in months i'm not in a dorm as i was offered a ' single ' at the same price. It is , of course a cell. They wouldn't be too chuffed with this at Winson Green ( my ' local ' HMP in the U.K ) - no loo or T.V. It's fine for me  tho'  now it has a bolt on the inside as well as the outside , and a piece of material covers the mesh half of the door. I admit i did spend five minutes looking for the light switch until i realized it was outside the cell.

I took a tour of the prison and heard lots of grisly tales. You can still see where the hanging platform stood and the gallery behind for the spectators . No telly in those days. The walls are strewn with relevant newspaper articles. My favourite involved a rent dispute between two married couples who moved in together in the 30's. The wives fell in love and eloped , leaving the men to it !

...and from the outside.
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On the last night there was a lunar eclipse. With a clear sky it looked very impressive as the earths shadow eventually covered the moon and it changed colour to a reddy  brown hue.Don't think i've ever seen that before - another first!