It's been a looooooong day!
First up, a sad farewell to Julia at Cape Kidnappers. She has "mothered" us wonderfully ... the team miss her.
First stop - unexpectedly - the city of Napier. We had time to film here despite worries over schedules. Napier has a population of under 60,000 but is one of the most famous cities in New Zealand. On February 3rd 1931, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale hit Napier. 250 + inhabitants were killed and the city was razed to the ground. It was rebuilt in "art deco" style ... and most of those buildings are still standing today ...
I love art deco ... from South Beach to Miami to the Gas Lamp in San Diego - I have seen some of the best examples of this design. Here at Napier - it's all on show.
From there, we drove to Waimarama - 45 minutes from Napier. The Maori village here has existed for 750 years and is now open to visitors. I was welcomed in traditional style (by a warrior) and spent a truly wonderful afternoon with a new "family". I can't do justice on my diary describing it ... I will leave it for the show. A humbling, fascinating, loving and wonderful few hours ...
Flight from Napier to Auckland became indirect ... as we flew through Wellington. No real issue. Nice new Alfa was waiting for me at the airport ...
NOW at Mollies ... more on that tomorrow. Aching for bed ...
Song of the Day: She Bangs the Drum - Stone Roses
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgK_QGGbnjs
Weather: ?
napier - art deco
the gas lamp quarter ... napier!
the sound shell
canada/london - home!
tyla - the warrior
with the tribe at lunch
a warm jacket .... only 150 years old......
