Napier- January 21

We arrived into the part of Napier to find a foggy, misty morning. The pier featured stacks and stacks of 4x4s. and more logs than I could believe.

We were greeted by 30's music and people garbed in 30's style clothing. As the day went along a terrific display of antique cars appeared. 

This is a town that recreated itself after a terrible earthquake in 1921. The earthquake brought up 10,000 acres and raised the land about 16 feet. The major river through the town was rerouted and most of the buildings were destroyed. We saw The Public Trust which was the only building to survive. It had just been built with reinforced concrete as are all the buildings are now. It seemed strange to be in a place where all the people we talked with date the earthquake as an important landmark in the town's development.

We drove beside beaches that featured high waves- all too dangerous for people to swim. But the town has constructed a long promenade terrific for walking through the town.

Many of the new buildings were rebuilt using the current art deco design style. This included even a McDonalds. We saw such lovely art deco houses and commercial buildings.

We first drove the The Mission Winery established in 1851 built for the wine production of a French order of priests. These men came carrying their grape vines from France and began wine production in this area where the much of the soil is made from volcanic rocks that were also part of a river bed. The rocks remain warm and so the soil is best for growing grapes.

The approach to the vineyard was beautiful with Plane Trees. They have really funny, spotty bark and are trimmed back to a stump each year and quickly regrow to a leafy tree. We learned that all the vines have rose bushes at the end. Rose bushes are likely to catch the virus and other diseases that vines catch. So these bushes serve as a warning that disease is around.

The building, built in a cross shape, was lovely and the grounds were terrific. They got new electricity in 1919 and then had a terrible fire because of faulty wiring and the large amount of alcohol stored in the cellars. The structure was rebuilt, stood for 4 days, and then the earthquake came and destroyed it all. Our guide laughed and said the average New Zealander cellars wine for 72 hours and then drinks it. Sounds like the procedure in our house too.

There are about 40 wineries in this area. We also saw fruit orchards of peaches, apples and pears plus vines of Kiwi fruit. Beautiful countryside.

We drove to the top of Te Mata Peak. It was a steep and curvy road with a great view at the top. We had a motercycle guide to clear the way ahead of us. Quite an experience. We have found New Zealand to be a lovely and mostly green place.

Our time in port ended with a terrific antique car show and a 6 piece band playing more 30's music. People were in wonderful costumes. Great setting.