New Zealand - Napier

Before I crack on with the Napier trip report, the journey between Taupo and Napier started with my first mistake of the trip, I booked the right bus, right day but wrong month…… woops. However it did put forth some cracking scenery and this will probably be the only time you will ever hear me say this; the rain added to the great mysticism of the whole journey. The scenery also looked very much like that from middle earth (Lord Of The Rings reference for those of you who don‘t know).



Arriving early evening in Napier, we only really had the chance to stroll around and give into our current obsession- the cinema, we yet again went to see a film.

Next day we were greeted by the wonderful sunshine, so our first port of call was breakfast; using the philosophy of eat wherever the locals eat, we choose café Ujazi. Which was absolutely amazing, a cooked breakfast on traditional Maori bread (not too dissimilar to soda bread). From the café a visit to the Art Deco shop- which offers a free short film into the history of the art deco style and how it was implemented into Napier’s streets. Then taking what we received from the video we headed for the streets and gardens of Napier and I can tell you Jen really was in her element, photographs galore.







Along the seafront Marine Parade is the National Aquarium of New Zealand, at $16 (approx £6
.80) it may seem like quite a reasonable price- however both myself and Jen really did not deem it worthwhile, when compared to other aquariums we have been to. Plus myself and Jen are not fans of animals confined to small environments and when it came to the crocodile and giant turtle- the areas they were confined to were way too small. Our evening was spent with a couple of beers in yet another Irish bar- the New Zealanders really like their Irish bars.

Our leaving day in Napier didn’t greet us with quite such a positive start in terms of weather. However it still left Jen feeling like she could have quite easily spent a few more days in Napier if not longer; the disadvantage of not having a car and working to a set plan. What short amount of time we had left we decided to first of all explore Bluff Hill- which is approximately a 30 minute walk from Napier’s CBD and past the historic prison.. Once up the hill, you get good views of the surrounding area- definitely better on a clear summers day. Back in town and we went for a quick latte and chai latte (plus cakes) at café Ujazi- it’s really that good. Anyway we had to move on and our final North Island stop and capital of New Zealand awaits- Wellington.