An Unexpected Journey - Part 5...

We woke up to a very cold Napier!  The wind had howled during the night and I thought the camper was going to blow away at one point.  Fortunately, it also rocked me to sleep and I slept so soundly.

First things first - my very first Starbucks coffee...  Oh yum!  OK, I did go for a fancy chestnut something or other that makes me cringe when I think of the cost, but it was heavenly...

Napier is a very interesting town.  It was completely flattened by an earth quake on 3 February 1931 at 10:47am.  Ahead of cell phones and cut off from the rest of the world, nobody knew of the devastation that had happened.  The quake had brought so many buildings down, including the nurses hostel, killing most of them.  The buildings that hadn't been ripped apart were burnt in the blaze that followed - apparently caused by Bunsen Burners used by pharmacists in those days.  Thankfully, a naval ship was in the port and they were able to radio for help.  Miraculously, they managed to re-build this entire city within in just 2 years.  The residents were all moved out of town and a "tin town" was built.  Insurance companies refused to pay for damages by this Act of God and so many people were left destitute.  The banks gave generous loans and as the town was slowly re-built, people moved in as their buildings were completed. 

The new town was sturdily built with reinforced structures and with an art deco style.  Marius and I did a little tour through the town to learn more and it is really amazing what they've managed to do.  Just shows human compassion and strength of character...

 The Masonic Hotel, with the Gatsby Room below...

 There are significant Maori carvings in the buildings too.  This one represents the hammerhead shark - these are believed to be guardian spirits..

 Street names on the sidewalks...

The art deco craze came shortly after the war and people were very into strong, bright and bold.  Napier has restrictions in place with regards to painting.  The residents have learnt what a great tourist attraction this is and everyone tries to stick to the theme...

 This was the only building that remained standing through the earthquake...

We'd seen so much and come full circle - this is the main entrance to the Masonic Hotel...

 These two photos show the town as it was before the quake...

 And these two show it just after...

 And then the newly built city as it stands today...

 The town is a complete mixture of architecture - both old and new fashioned buildings.  While I'm not a huge architecture fan, I'm definitely a fan of Napier and all that they've managed to accomplish.  You just have to Google it to see the absolute devastation that these people had to overcome to be where they are today...

Napier has an annual Art Deco festival, celebrating there city. People dress up and there are parades - all in celebration of what they've achieved.  The whole country rests on fault lines and it is more than possible that they could suffer another quake.  They have learnt to celebrate what they have and I think that's fantastic. 

Another thing that survived are the Norfolk Pines, that line Marine Parade...

Our time in Napier was up though and there was a big cold front on the way and there was talk of the pass being closed on our route to our next destination - it was time to move on!

Love,

Sue XXX