While I do recall passing through Napier in the way to a wargames convention in Hastings, maybe in 1984 I don't think I had ever stopped in the place.
The first thing that struck me was the breadth of beachfront running nearly 6 KM along the eastern edge of the city, before extending even further south towards Cape Kidnappers.
The city council has also done excellent work in making the waterfront available for all ages, from extensive playgrounds, skate parks, gardens and the fabulous National Aquarium.
There are lots of great places to dine and excellent wineries, one of the best known being the Mission Estate - the first winery established in NZ in 1851. The winery has some great colonial buildings and a great view back over the city.
Next stop on the road trip was Gisborne, two and a half hours north of Napier. It was another winding road, not as bad as the one Waiouru-Napier, but many spots of roadworks - repairs from the recent wet weather.
Again I had only previously only been here once 30+ years ago and just drove through on the way to a New Year event at Tologa Bay. My first view of Gisborne was somewhat underwhelming, but it was Saturday afternoon and most of the stores had closed. We soon found a place for a drink and something to eat. On Sunday morning we drove a little to the north to Wainui Beach, a 5 kilometer long surf beach. We walked along the beach in brilliant sunshine.
After returning to the city for lunch we went for another walk. This time past the front of our hotel towards the mouth of the river. This is a working port and a ship was busy loading with logs for export.
Behind the ship is the marker recording the spot where Captain Cook set foot on New Zealand soil on 1769. On the opposite shore, where we walked, is the statue to Cook.
A few hundred meters further on is Young Nick's statue honouring the young lad who, from the crow's nest, had first sighted land for Cook and after who the location Young Nick's Head is named.
From here, within walking distance of the city centre, Waikanae Beach stretches into the broad curve of Poverty Bay all the way to Young Nick's Head, fifteen kilometers to the south.
Monday saw us heading towards home. We had decided to break the trip - normally it would have a seven hour drive that would gave brought us back into Auckland in the middle of the afternoon rush and we didn't want the hassle...and its not like we are chained to a schedule. We decided to spend the night at Rotorua. The original plan was to drive north through the Waioweka Gorge, but that route is closed due to storm damage so we had to double back towards Napier then take the Napier-Taupo road. From Taupo it is a short hop to Rotorua. But the trip was plagued with roadworks that made the trip somewhat tedious.
An early departure from Rotorua had us home by just after 10:00 AM.
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