Whanganui

This city on a mighty river--the Whanganui, which rises in the Volcanic Plateau in the middle of the North Island--recently won an award for the way its main shopping area has been transformed.

On my way back to Stratford, I stayed in the Grand Hotel, which was THE place to stay back in the day--my aunt was the receptionist there for many years in its heyday. It's still a nice place to stay, just one block away from the main street. It has a funky little cafe with a surfing theme--the beach is not far from city centre.

Once a year, the city hosts a motorcycle race that features several laps around the inner city cemetery, hence the name of this business opposite the Intercity bus depot.Läs mer