Feb 02, 2020

 

A lovely restful sleep followed by a leisurely start to the day and then a spectacular ride up Te Mata Peak for jaw dropping views in all directions not to mention on the ride up and down, then a quick look at Cape Kidnappers where Captain Cook and crew had a bit of an altercation with some locals then onto the Elephant Hill Winery for a light lunch. The afternoon was filled with exploring Napier proper, the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand which was wonderful…mind you with a Michael Buble concert last night and a cruise ship in the harbour as well we were sharing the area with an extra 15,000 people. By the time we had dinner and walked back to the bikes the street which was bustling and choked with cars was almost empty so we set off to our accommodation via the Port and new beach areas where it is safe to swim, not that we swam. The beach along the main esplanade is unfit for swimming with a sharp drop off a shelf and strong undertows.

 

A challenge for the start of the day, a top hanging in the window had blown out onto the roof below and Lynne retrieved it with a fishing rod found in the laundry…just a bit late to snap her in the act.

 

 

On the way up to Te Mata peak.

 

And a view from the peak.

 

And again with a timber platform where hang gliders launch from.

 

The road was a great climb.

 

Cape Kidnappers.

 

Leaving Elephant Hill Winery.

 

And onto Napier.

 

No doubt about Norm, not only found a parking spot but a Donut Caravan as well.

 

Napier.

 

Napier.

 

Napier.

 

Napier. We had our dinner in the green domed building, a Lone Star Café. Very nice. We went to one of these in Dunedin last year.

 

Have to make this the last, way too many pics.