Ahuriri Bluff

Napier, a coastal city on New Zealand's North Island, is set amid the renowned wine-producing region of Hawke's Bay. Rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake, the city is known for art deco landmarks like the zigzag-patterned Daily Telegraph Building. Along the tree-lined waterfront promenade the Marine Parade, the Pania of the Reef statue depicting a Maori maiden, is a symbol of the city.

Today we joined the tour to see colony of gannets.
The drive to see these birds was magnificent, the views of the cliffs, the wineries. We drove through the private grounds where only this tour company allowed to visit gannet colony.
We could come within few feet to the colony could see adults and young nesting in serried rows carrying out their daily routine. In the air above our heads, these amazing birds with their 6-foot wingspan (2 m) swooped and dove as they carried back fish. On the ground, just a few feet away, the pairs preen and perform the dance of the gannets’ recognition ritual.

These birds mate for life and produce only one offspring per year. Both parents take care of their offspring. When the baby is bigger than parents, it flies to Australia. Only 20-30 percent of them survive this journey. Three year later they come back and start their own family.

After we came back, we walked around the town and its beautiful waterfront.Lue lisää

Fab day today, ticked off all the things we wanted to do and only got wet once!

Started with the museum (free entry!) which was great. The basement narrated the 1931 earthquake event which has defined this region for one reason or another ever since. It was well explained, with human interest stories and family memorabilia plus a moving memorial book detailing the people who sadly lost their lives. Most of the region was affected by the 7.3 quake and subsequent fire but the harsh truth is this area is never that far from its next quake. The east coast is right in a subduction zone where the Pacific tectonic plate slides under the Oceanic plate, which NZ is situated on. This means there is often movement, some you feel most you don’t, but the ‘big’ one could always round the corner. There are clear instructions about tsunamis and what to do inc a prescribed ‘grab bag’ should an extreme event occur, and you need to vamoose - fast. Sobering stuff.

It’s pretty normal to monitor seismic activity on a regular basis:
https://www.geonet.org.nz/

The rest of the museum was good too, an eclectic mix of Māori history and modern art works, with a live piano accompaniment. Great morning of culture.

After another tour of some art deco photo ops, we have lunch (or I should say brekkie, as many Kiwi caffs offer a very civilised ‘all day breakfast’). We got wet in a sharp shower on the way to the aquarium but soon dry off as we walk through the tanks and inmates.

A lovely modest sized aquarium with the addition of some reptiles, little penguins and native tuatara (lizards) and a lone kiwi trudging back and forth in its dimly lit enclosure. Wasn’t sure about the latter - it seemed lonely and stressed.

Got back to our cabin for a much needed afternoon cuppa and a preliminary pack, to set off to the central plateau tomorrow.Lue lisää