Hittin’ The Road

March 10-11

Our time in Wellington had come to an end and it was time to start freestylin’ on our own four wheels. We hopped on the bus and took ourselves out to Wellington Airport where we picked up our rental car and began our freestyle road trip. The first challenge was getting out of Wellington…I was driving and listening to Euphemia, the calming voice of Google Maps telling me which way to go and which lane to be in…that helped but it was still a country bumpkin navigating big city traffic! We zoomed here…turned there…merged…turned…oooh, a big tunnel!…lights on…zoom through the tunnel…lights off…indicate…merge…brake…turn…on it went until we found ourselves on a motor way…more traffic…more zooming and eventually we made it to a quieter highway…phew! 

It was a long drive as we took ourselves in the direction of Napier. We’d planned a longer first day of driving, since we’d had some “rest days” in Wellington and then after that we’d do shorter trips. The next challenge was getting through road works that seemed to crop up constantly and the speed limit in road works over here is 30km/h! It’s 40km/h at home and I can tell you, 30km/h is a whole new challenge, especially in a car that doesn’t register cruise control that slow, so it’s constantly checking to make sure the 30km/h crawl hasn’t accidentally become a 40km/h speed fine! 

We eventually made it to our pit stop, which was a nice little motel in Hastings. We just rocked up and the lovely lady at reception found us a room at a very reasonable rate and cheaper than we’d seen on booking sites, so we were all sorted. They had a guest laundry that was available for $10 and Lou went to investigate how we could use that, only to be told by the lovely lady, “Oh, just give it to me, I’ll do it for you. We have a commercial machine, so I’ll just throw it in there and wash it and dry it for you and bring it back over to your room. Don’t feel you have to hang around, just leave it with me.” Yet another example of the delightfully, friendly people we have encountered on the Kiwi Isle! We gave her $10 and a tub of washing and then set off for a late roam around Hastings and to pick up a bite to eat. 

Being Sunday, pretty much everything was closed, so the town was nice and quiet and we walked around looking at the Art Deco style of the buildings. Napier is known for its Art Deco architecture and Hastings had its own as well.

Checking out some architecture in Hastings

Back at our room, we soon had a knock at the door and our tub of washing delivered back to us clean and dried, with a friendly smile and chat from Dayle, the kindly lady. Just super and the end to another bonza day.

We set off the next morning and headed to Napier for a look around. It was to be a magnificent, sunny, scorcher of a day and 28C. Napier sits on the water, so we had a beautiful sunny start to the day, looking out at the water, lapping up to the black pebble beach.

Ready to roam and lovin’ the 28 degrees!
The black volcanic beaches of Napier

We visited the Information Centre to get a self guided walking guide to look around the Art Deco buildings and learn their stories, then off we went to roam around Napier, looking up to see the lovely style of the buildings that had been rebuilt in Art Deco style after being left in rubble following the 1931 earthquake. It was a top roam, with Napier showing off not only its architecture, but its pathways and parks and it showed itself to be an all round lovely town. We regrouped with lunch in a park looking out at the water and then hit the road again, heading for Taupo.

The New Napier Arch commemorates the rebuilding of Napier
The Soundshell was once a focus of outdoor entertainment in the days when few had cars and most people were confined to town during weekends.
The T&G Building was originally the premises of Temperance & General Insurance Company. Built in 1936, its dome and clock lantern are Napier landmarks. When the building was new, it housed “The Silver Slipper” nightclub on the first floor.
This is the former Central Fire Station. The brick facade was damaged in the 1931 earthquake and demolished, to be replaced by a concrete version of the original design. In 1969 after a new fire station was built away from the business area, it was converted to offices with sheets of glass replacing the huge doors.
A pedal power form of delivery transport from days gone by.
The original Daily Telegraph building built in 1932
Built in 1932, the design is one of four in Napier that includes Maori motifs
The look of the day when Napier was in its Art Deco hey day
The AMP building was designed by Louis Hay but influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, the American pioneer of modern architecture. It was built in 1934.
Clive Square. During the 1860-80’s the square was used as a sports ground or village green. In 1884 sport left the square and the gardens were formed. After the 1931 earthquake, the square was used as a temporary shopping centre known as “Tin Town”.
Built in 1932, Parker’s Chambers has Scottish thistle motifs at the top, reflecting Parker’s Scottish ancestry.

The drive to Taupo was uneventful, apart from the constant road works again and that tricky ol’ 30km/h. Even out of the road works, most of the highway was an 80km/h limit, so it was a two hour drive of 30…80…30…100…30…80…50…80…30…and repeat! 

We eventually rolled into Taupo, found some digs for the night and took ourselves for a late roam around this lakeside town. The first thing we did was ask the lady at reception how to pronounce the name of the town correctly because we’d heard it said different ways, so we now know it’s pronounced “toe-paw”. What a magic little town it is too, hugging the shores of the giant Lake Taupo, a lake that is the size of Singapore! The town has a lovely vibe with paths beside the lake, parks and cultural monuments and statues dotted around the town. It’s also a town of murals, with various art work found on walls and down alley ways throughout the town.

Lake Taupo
This is called ‘The Crossing’
Murals around Taupo
What a great idea and also means I can take photos of the pole without cars in the way!
This waharoa (gateway) was carved in Taupo in 1927 and 1928 by master carver Tene Waitere. The carvings commemorate two great Maori leaders.

We had another magic roam, finishing off with supper (dinner / tea / whatever you choose to call it) at a restaurant, sitting outside looking out over the lake. I had the vegan Fush and Chups, and no, that’s not me trying to take the mick out of the NZ accent, that’s actually how it was on the menu! 

Have the magpies in Devonport been talking to the ducks in Taupo? This one sized up the potential for some nibbles…
…then just gave the stare down!
The local sense of humour!

So, day two of our road trip was in the bag and Heidi and Louise had managed to avoid driving off any canyons, did not encounter any Brad Pitt look alikes and were not involved in any cross country police chases. An all round win I’d say! We continue our road trip tomorrow after some more exploring in the Taupo region, to see what other delights we can discover. It might be another day of road work bingo though…eyes down players…half a century it’s number 50…dirty Gertie number 30…Never mind, I’m sure there’ll be a prize at the end!

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