We did Napier proud, the wine region is known as Hawke’s Bay….7 total wineries and the car trunk is full….now to start to drink it all:)))) There are some really good wines here….many will rival those found in California….Napa or Livermore. Both of us continue to be surprised by how good New Zealand wines really are….it is like the world’s best kept secret for sure….we bought several that we want to bring home and cellar for a few years!!!
Well, you have to laugh at J&K….get us in a car and our navigation skills go ditzy. We can navigate half way around the world in Mystic and not get lost, but one block away from the Auckland marina and we were totally lost. Yep, spent 30 minutes trying to find a south onramp to HWY 1…..finally gave up after a total of 3 intersections which just had north bound entrances so what the heck…..we went north, over the big bridge and then finally found a south bound entrance. Of course, as we retraced our route, we found many south bound onramps. Then getting to Napier we made 2 more wrong turns….yikes. So, Kathy is now becoming bonded with goggle maps….so far, not so bad…..we just need to name the voice…any thoughts???
Napier had a very big earthquake that destroyed most of the city in 1931…7.8M for 2.5 minutes…the deadliest in NZ history (we will be visiting Christchurch in March that had another devastating earthquake in 2011). When the City was rebuilt it was done in the 1930’s Art Deco style and they hold an art deco festival here every year complete with vintage cars and appropriately dressed people. It sounds like quite an event, but alas it is in 2 weeks so we will miss it. So, we settled for a walking tour…..hmmm, quite frankly, it needs the props to be something special…..we think downtown Pleasanton/Livermore may be just as interesting and charming downtowns…but what do we know:(((((
Wineries: Clearview, Elephant Hill, Craggy Range, Black Barn, Mission, Cross Roads, Church Road….
Tomorrow we leave for Wellington, spend 2 nights there, see the city and then take the Cook’s Strait Ferry over to Picton on Sunday
Stats:
Traveled: 255 miles, ~5 hours
Wrong turns: Out of Auckland…Lost count!! In Napier….2….Aarrgg!!
Hotel: Pebble Beach Hotel, right on the beach, great view, has a spa tub:)))
Special late lunch: Black Barn, I had the HB Natural Lamb Loin Shoulder Falafel, Aubergine And Aioli….OMG….Bad Bob could have cooked this meal! Kathy had the Beef Fillet
Broccolini, Smoked Pepper Dressing, Quinoa and Feta…..just excellent!!!
Interesting Pizza: Emporium, Masonic Hotel,“Angus” beef mince, mushroom, bacon, mozzarella, horseradish cream…..you would not think this would work, but it was wood-oven baked and the horseradish sauce just worked….yummers!!!
Best Seafood: Thirsty Whale…Really terrific crumbed fish & chips, and exceptional seafood chowder.
LIG!!!!
John
Mystic Moon
Opening Ceremonies at the Emporium-Masonic hotel
Napier-Art Deco Street View
Mission Winery: Oldest in NZ, owned by the Catholics!
J&K at Elephant Hill Winery
Craggy Range Winery
Restaurant at Black Barn Winery
2013 Syrah at Black Barn
Grapevines at Mission Winery
Example of Art Deco Festival
Now we are having some Fun!!
