New Zealand—Napier, February 12, 2025

New Zealand—Napier, February 12, 2025

We're taking it easy this morning because today we're scheduled for a 1.5 hour Art Deco Trust walking tour at 2PM.  We're looking forward to hearing about the buildings we spent the day gawking at yesterday.

Just down the street from our hotel on Marine Parade is Roam, a coffee shop that makes great coffee (like everywhere else in the country) and has all kinds of goodies.

This lemon cup was so good!

Herb and cheese scone—also delish!

From the street, the cafe seems tiny, but it's spacious and has a second floor.

The building is a 1930's renovated home.

This cafe is another favorite! They're everywhere!

This skate park is across the street from our hotel.

So um, when did skate parks get bleachers?!

Marine Parade Road

Drat, I hope the flat is fixed by Saturday for the Art Deco parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our walking tour was well worth it, and because I took pictures yesterday and included many of the buildings we saw today on the previous posting, what I included here are some pictures of Art Deco artwork that's easily overlooked such as original decorative glass bordering shop windows, lamps/lighting, decorative tiles, and finally, stylish cars that arrive hourly in preparation for the Art Deco parade this Saturday.

Simon, our tour guide, brought to life much of what the City Council website provided about the 1931 earthquake that destroyed Napier. He also pointed out decorative architectural features easily overlooked.

Original 1933 glass above department store display windows.

Seems especially true today. (click to enlarge)

Maori motif on exterior bank wall.

Ceiling inside bank.

Plaster pillar capitals inside bank.

This Maori design symbolizes the hammerhead shark.

Interior of bank's ceiling border.

When a false ceiling was removed during renovation, this Art Deco Ceiling with original 1930's glass was discovered by department store owner.

Tin/steel sheeting under store awning.

1930's original glass bordering shop windows.

 

More '30's original glass.

Art Deco carpeting in city theatre.

1930's original glass bordering shop windows.

1930's exterior tiles.

Space age Art Deco lighting.

Folks prepare their vintage 1930's cars for the parade.

I don't know cars but I do recognize stylish craftsmanship.

Pretty cool Art Deco lighting.

Folks from all around have arrived for the parade.

This advertisement just cracked me up.