Arriving at Napier around 1.30pm, We found our way to Parkside Lodge, which is where we would be staying for the next three nights. It is a very nice place - homely with a retro style. It has the cleanest kitchen for guests to use that I think I have ever seen. There is a proper coffee machine, and you can grind the beans and pretend to be a Barista any time you feel like it - for free! There is a real record player in the hall near the kitchen, with a selection of vinyl records to play. Great! It also has excellent free wifi.
I am writing this on Friday 13th Feb. The time is nearly 8.00pm and we have been in Napier all day.
We don't feel hungry yet because we had a large lunch about 1.30pm - and it's taking a while to get over it. We found a place that does gluten free pizza - K had one. It was a bit big, so she didn't finish it. We brought a few slices back!
Napier is known as the 'Art Deco Capital' of New Zealand. The city was mostly destroyed by an earthquake in Feb 1931. It was rebuilt mostly in Art Deco style. It has some lovely buildings. It seems that many of them have shops underneath that detract from the attractiveness of the decor, but I suppose that's commerce. There is also a very long beach and beautiful blue sea.
We had a good wander around and admired the buildings and vintage cars that you could ride in. Some of the locals were dressed in period costume - especially near the Art Deco Shop. There is the annual celebration next weekend (18th - 20th) - but we will be in Wellington then.
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