We ran away last week, booked an Air BnB in Napier (population 64,ooo)- which is 476k (295miles) from our home, and 320k N/E of the capital, Wellington. (Not so much a small town - but oh well).
Primarily we went for a Toto concert at one of the wineries, but for 4 nights so that we could have a look around as I hadn't been there since the 60's (I was very young haha).
Napier is known for it's Art Deco architecture - owing to the 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake that meant a lot of the city had to be rebuilt. They make a feature of it with an Art Deco festival every year. (That's the Mr)
 |
| Vintage shopping at Charleston Chic |
 |
| She also sang through the megaphone, which made it sound like an old record |
 |
 |
| Napier lights up at night with many beautiful light-changing fountains |
 |
| Controversial zigzag track up Te Mata Peak - local Maori were not consulted when a permit was given to Craggy Range Winery to make the track. Locals want it removed. |
 |
| We bypassed the big wineries for this one - Akarangi - in an old church. The wine tasting session was an entertainment in itself. |
 |
| The carved gateway to the Star Compass at Waitangi Regional Park,Hawkes Bay. |
 The Star Compass, Waitangi Regional Park, Hawkes Bay |
Wineries, vintage shopping, stunning scenery and a great concert - what's not to love? |
