Napier

After the rigorous activity of yesterday (floating down an underground stream wasn’t that demanding, but getting in and out of those wetsuits was hard work!) we decided to take a break and go and visit Napier. We last visited it in Easter 2011, so it was about due for a re-visit. Lisa in particular wanted to look at the Art Deco buildings.

On the way, we saw a sign that said Scenic Lookout. “Got to be worth a look”, I thought, so we swung off the road and up a little track to a turning place up a hill. “Looks pretty ordinary” I thought, until Nicola beckoned us over to where she could see…this:

After taking pictures, we carried on our journey, discussing why the sign didn’t give more information, or indeed why it didn’t appear to marked on our map. It's the Waipunga Falls, apaprently.

We arrived in Napier and found somewhere to park pretty quickly, then walked a short distance into the CBD to find a café. We quickly settled on 2 Fat Lattes and got some refreshments there. At this point, there was some disagreement about what to do next. Ian had found a guitar shop and was happy to stay there. Three of the girls were uninterested in architecture, so went off to do whatever it is teenage girls do to occupy their time. Having already investigated the train tour (at $50 a pop we thought it was too expensive for a guided tour) we bought a self-guided tour and myself, Nicola, Lisa and Eli went off for a walk around the Art Deco buildings. I pointed out interesting features such as I could remember from when we had a walking tour here last time. We’d arranged to meet up back at the i-Site, then after a quick visit to the Cigarette Factory, set about searching out some lunch in the newer development over in the West Docks. We settled on The Thirsty Whale and had a rest and some lunch there.

How time flies when you’re having fun! The drive had taken longer than anticipated so we decided to crack on and make a start at heading back to Taupo so that we wouldn’t be late back to the bach. We also wanted to stop off in town to try to acquire a new pair of shorts as mine had suffered a catastrophic split and were in urgent need of replacements. The girls also wanted to go in search of knacks, and I dare say knicks (and visit McDonald’s). My shorts search having proved unsuccessful, Ian and I repaired to The Crafty Trout Brewing Company, Taupo’s own craft brewery and pub, and decided that it would be rude not to try their beer. As we sat down the clouds opened, and there was a flash and rumble of thunder, so we ended up staying there slightly longer than we intended. Once the rain had slackened off a bit we ventured outside and met up back at the car, and drove home.