Napier

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3.01.2007 Napier, New Zealand

Two hours after leading Tauranga , yesterday,we past by White Island- a live volcano that continues to belch smoke and a sulfur fumes which we could smell. Most interesting. Arrived in Napier at 7:30 this AM.

On Feb. 3^rd, 1931 Napier experienced a devastating earthquake followed by a widespread fire that killed 162 and destroyed much of this city of 30,000 inhabitants at that time. To this day the area experiences an average of five tremors daily and due to shifting of the plates beneath the city the land continues to raise a measurable amount each year. The earthquake caused the inner harbor to fill in creating hundreds of downtown waterfront acres After 2 years of planning, the city was rebuilt within 2 years. It was during the great depression and labor was available and came from all of the country. Little did anyone realize that the decision to rebuild the city in a Spanish Mission and Art Deco style would turn out to make this city such a visitors delight. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that the city recognized it’s tourist potential. Justin the past year 63 cruise ships have visited Napier to see this art deco city.

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Our tour started with a stop at The Art Deco Center where we viewed a short movie about the famous earthquake and the rebuilding of the city. We then took a one hour walking tour of the downtown area noting Napier’s famous art deco architecture. We stopped at the prestigious Hawkes Bay Club established in 1863 as a gentleman’s club, attracting the early wealthy businessmen and farmers. It’s located overlooking the beautiful gardens on Hawkes Bay waterfront. Here we had coffee,scones,tea sandwiches etc. From here we drove through the residential area , Marewa, where many of the best preserved Art Deco homes and immaculate gardens have been preserved. We were invited into one of these homes and given a tour by the owner and his wife.The home was decorated with relics from the 30’s and was like a museum currently being lived in. They also had a antique 1930 auto parked in the driveway. Upon our arrival back at the ship we were greeted by a local group in their roaring 20’s clothes , a collection of beautifully restored cars and music to complete the scene. They remained until our departure and the ship’s traditional goodbye to each port we leave-three long blasts on the ship’s whistle. Took it easy the rest of the day passing up the entertainment options available and had dinner in Le Terrazza with the Wests and Pat and Tony Sturniolo from Mt. Kisko, NY. She is a retired schoolteacher and has just retired as a producer of 60 minutes at CBS. Also, today we met Dr. John Ryan and his wife, Joanne who live on Gulf Shore Blvd., Naples,FL.