Napier is a popular tourist city, with a unique concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture, built after much of the city was razed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.
We walked along the sea front but the beach here is not good for swimming.
We've been told that it is better round by the harbour but we're not too worried about swimming today.
Instead, we walked along to the aquarium where we bought two senior tickets. Amazing, they didn't even ask to see our ID!
Here's an alligator basking under the sun lamp. Many of the enclosures have been designed to highlight the damage caused to wildlife by our actions. There are interactive stations where you can learn of the effect of plastic bags on turtles and gannets.
Here you can see staff feeding the penguins. But, they explained that the only penguins they have here are either injured, abandoned or born in captivity. Many of the injuries are caused by entanglement in abandoned fishing nets. We were impressed by the way they ensured that each penguin got fed and they kept pushing the greedy ones back.
Next we watched the sharks being fed.
Again, the keeper tried to ensure that all were fed and not just the greedy ones. There were snappers, ray, large and small shark and others I don't recognise.
Next came the feeding of the larger mammals.
Following that we visited the cathedral. Again, the original cathedral was destroyed in the earthquake. It is claimed to be the first cathedral to catch the new day's sun.
The chair has the last supper but all the characters have Maori faces.
In the evening we went back to the quay for supper but this time at the Gintrap.
Rack of lamb for Brigid and steak for me.
But it was an excellent meal.
.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment