Napier, New Zealand

Napier is a city of 70 000 in the wine, fruit and wool center of New Zealand. Interestingly they espalier their apple trees to make them easier to pick. The guide said they use a machine to suction the fruit from the trees rather than paying pickers.

Another bird adventure! From Napier Viking provided a bus to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. The Australasian Gannets nest there in November and feed the babies (white, fluffy heads) until they are twice the size of the adults. In April the large, immature offspring (black and grey) who are still unable to hunt fly to Australia where they remain for several years before returning to New Zealand.Read more