#3   Napier – Art Deco Brings Life

















It was a bright, sunny, and hot day in Napier, February 3, 1931.  A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck, catching everyone by surprise.  Building collapsed, water mains burst, fires started, which because of the water main bursting, could not be put out.  The city was in ruins, hundreds lost their lives. 






 As one poet put it, “even the walls of the destroyed buildings held their hands up in surprise”.  The determined people decided that when they rebuilt, it would be in Art Deco Style.  And so they did.






 Another interesting geological event that took place during the earthquake, was that what was previously water islands, and swamp surrounding the city, had now risen about 7 feet, making thousands of acres of land where there was none.

Due  east of Napier is Chile.


In the morning Patsy and I took a small tour of wine tasting (yummm), 













sightseeing spots, 

and Art Deco tour and history about the earthquake.  Our guide was a lovely lady whose grandfather survived the quake. 



 We ended our evening returning to the Mission Winery for a most delightful, delicious dinner overlooking vineyards.


Tomorrow we travel to Wellington to board our Interisland Ferry across the strait to Picton and Nelson.

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