It was a beautiful day in “Gizzy”, as the locals call it. We chose our own adventures today, ranging from a visit to the local arboretum displaying trees from around the world, a homestead and farm visit, and of course, a winery tour and tasting since we’re right in the middle of Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful wine country.
11/11/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Napier
Our first full day on North Island, New Zealand was spent in Napier, the art deco capitol of New Zealand. Many opportunities to fully grasp the splendor of this unique town and surrounding area were afforded to us, including independent explorations (on foot or by bicycle), the National Aquarium of New Zealand, Art Deco Town tours, and of course the Australasian gannet colonies out at Cape Kidnappers Cove. It was truly a glorious day filled with sunshine and warm spring weather. The statue “A Wave Through Time” is modelled on Sheila Williams, daughter of Ernest Williams, one of the notable architects of the post-earthquake rebuild era. The statue also features a greyhound, although Sheila had horses not dogs, images of exuberant women with elegant dogs were a popular theme during the Deco period. Sheila was also the Carnival Queen of the New Napier Carnival in January 1933 to celebrate the town's recovery from the earthquake.
