Being arty in Napier

Well,  a bit arty and a bit planty to be more precise. Thus revealing my second interest after travelling, namely gardening -although I am very much an amateur as far as the gardening is concerned. Still, interesting to visit botanical gardens when abroad to get inspiration!

This art-deco inspired wallpainting is to be found at the bus terminus in Napier. Haere mai is Maori for welcome. So interesting to hear how Maori words and phrases have been integrated into New Zealand English.

I found wallpaintings and photos adorning the walls of Theatre Lane.


Wall-mounted photos depicting the aftermath of the earthquake in Hawkes Bay.


The MTG building houses  library, theatre and museum. "Pin Wall" was commissioned by Napier Council to decorate the side of the building. Not a bad investment from the council!


This set of murels (muriels as Hilda Ogden would have said) has a sea-conservation theme



And finally, it was time for a cuppa as they also say in NZ. Art deco style as seen in the MTG museum. The museum is small, but had an excellent exhibition about the earthquake including a film documentary  with personal accounts which was worth seeing.

The Botanical Gardens in Napier, just a 1.3km walk from the centre. And a winter visit shows just how mild the climate in Hawkes Bay is, at least compared to southern Norway. Frosts can occur, but not that often it would seem.

The lawn looks far better than mine .....







I have been to this Botanical Garden in the summer, way back in the early 1990s. I can't seem to remember what it was like in summer, but it certainly seems well-cared for now, even in the middle of winter.

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