Napier

Despite having a statue in Trafalgar Square in London, no one really knows who Charles Napier is. Charles Napier also lent his name to a town in the eastern part of North Island, New Zealand. This town probably also would have remained unknown to most if it weren't levelled by an earthquake in 1931. Why was it a good thing to be levelled by an earthquake in 1931? Why, the timing, of course. Within two years, Napier had completely rebuilt itself in the prevailing style of the day, Art Deco. By 1933, Napier was the most modern city in the world. Fortunately for Napier, it managed to keep its Art Deco heritage, and now rivals Miami, Florida as the Art Deco capital of the world.

Karen and I took a walking tour of the city, which was quite informative. Sometimes it felt like we were on a movie set, with all of these 1930s buildings surrounding us. Napier was a nice, quiet town with a great seaside location - even though the beach was terrible, with rocks instead of sand and dangerous riptides that prevent swimming. Fortunately people come here for the architecture rather than for swimming at the beach.



















There was this place in town owned by a German family for years who wanted to symbolize German-New Zealand friendship. You would think it might be a bit dangerous to have a German flag with the year 1933 under it. Fortunately they didn't keep the flag from the time.