Napier

Napier is known as an internationally recognized art deco town.  In the 1930s, the town was devastatingly destroyed by an earthquake, and when it came time to rebuild, they designed the town completely art deco style.  The town is still maintained as such, and reminded me of walking on the movie-set-inspired streets at MGM Studios in Florida.  The architechture was scenic, and the town was beachfront property to Hawke’s Bay.  The Hawke’s Bay region is home to the north island’s finest wineries, and the largest producing region of NZ’s red wines (my fave).  So we couldn't resist taking a short drive to Taradale for some cellar door wine tasting.  The vineyards are changing color as autumn approaches, and it was spectacular.

Mission Estate Winery, New Zealand's oldest!

 

Awesome autumn

The drive into Napier

The art deco hotel where we stayed  

  

To celebrate the nearing end of our trip, we shared red wine and a rack of lamb before moving on!