This morning we left Palmerston North and were quite surprised to almost immediately enter the Manawatu Gorge. It was a beautiful mountain pass between the plains in the west and the Pacific coastal regions in the east. In addition at the top of the gorge are thousands of windmills, not very scenic, but one of the largest wind farms in the world. From there it was another scenic drive to Hastings, one of two cities destroyed in a 7.8 Richter Scale earthquake in 1931. It was rebuilt in Art Deco style. It was a pretty little town and we had a nice outdoor lunch there as well. From town we climbed (by car) Te Mata Peak, over 1300 feet for a scenic view. We got that plus a bit more, although I am happy to report that the young Kiwi was just a bit shaken up, but uninjured. Fortunately he crash landed just shy of a sheer cliff that dropped precipitously.
I then drove very cautiously down all of the hairpin turns and switchbacks on the mountain and on to Napier, the second city totally destroyed by the earthquake. The Art Deco style here is a bit more widespread and it was fun walking around the city. Also Napier is on the Pacific Ocean so Cheryl and I strolled the beach for a bit as well.
We are definitely starting to get a feel for the frequency and severity of earthquakes in this part of the world.
I’m reminded (picture by picture) of all the things and places you miss when on a “bus tour”.
As wonderful as our tour to Oz and Kiwi land was, it was not nearly as all encompassing or personal–nor could it be.
great picture coverage, guys!!
Fred