Our trip to Napier...

Last week end Bryan and Peter had a 4 day weekend due to a holiday on Monday. So we left on Friday the 23rd for Napier which is on Hawke Bay on the south east coast of the north island. We went via Lake Taupo and the above picture is at Huka Falls which is on the Waikato River.

Above is a picture of McDonalds at Lake Taupo. Attached to the play area is a retired DC3 aircraft which the kids can play in as well. Our granddaughters would love it!

Here are the gardens at Napier which are right on the waterfront along the beach. The colours were amazing.

This fountain is in the city center square at Napier. It is adjacent to a very beautiful garden. It is very quiet and peaceful there even though it is in the city.

Napier is noted for it's Art Deco architecture. Every year they have an Art Deco festival for a week with everyone dressing up for the event. Here we are with one of the old cars that will be used for the event. We wanted to be there for the event but couldn't get accomodations which books out a year in advance. So next time when we visit again.

Napier is noted for wine making with many wineries in the area. Here we are at the Mission Winery which was started by the Catholic priests in the 1800's and is the oldest winery in New Zealand.

Here is a picture of Bryan and Peter at the Mission Winery. The garden around the winery was very nice and overlooks the valley below since the winery is on the side of a hill.

Here is a view of the vineyard looking down from the winery.

Here's a view of Napier from the look-out point - very pretty town.

Here's an example of some of the art deco buildings that were done in the 1930's and 40's.

Art deco fountain and statue along the waterfront.

Our dinner on the beach on Sunday evening - we had a lovely bottle of wine and Subway sandwiches!

This is our lovely motel - also art deco - complete with potted plant on the balcony. We enjoyed coffee and wine on the balcony, watching the ocean and the world going by below us.

Our motel was a family unit with two bedrooms, and a small kitchen, where you can see Lee cleaning up after breakfast.

The view from the kitchen, the living area, and our balcony.

This is the view from our balcony. It was a wonderful home away from home for the long weekend, and we'd definitely go back there again.

It's Thursday here. Peter has gone back to work after his Christmas holidays, so Lee and I are having coffee and a leisurely morning. Later today we'll go over to John's, and Lee will get his broadband hooked up. I think that I'll spend some time in town at the mall : )

Richard will be at John's at 1:00, and we'll have lunch, and then do something! It will be a nice day. Tomorrow we are going with Bryan to Matamata to visit with his Mum and Dad. Then in the afternoon, we'll head to Raglan, where B&P have their beach house. We're looking forward to some fresh fish and relaxing! I'm also planning on getting some beach combing in! : )

Then, next week, we're off to do some touring around the island, so we'll post along the way so that you know where we are.

Love and hugs from us.... xxxxx