Kaka

We left Wellington this morning under grey skies. Quite a long journey ahead so we had a couple of stops. One was at the National Wildlife Park at Mt Bruce. They claim to have a rare albino Kiwi but we didn't have time to justify the cost of entry so it was just a tea stop. I saw a flutter of wings and on the veranda was this rather cheeky Kaka.

A North Island Kaka I believe but there is a more colourful subspecies in the south.

The signs said 'Human food is not good for the Kaka, please do not feed them.' I don't think he had read it!

We are now in Napier, the Art Deco capital of the world. The city was destroyed in 1931 in a devastating earthquake and the whole place was rebuilt in Art Deco style.

Our hotel, originally built in 1861, destroyed by fire in 1896 and the raised to the ground in 1931, was rebuilt in 1932. It is has small and quirky rooms but more than makes up,for it with style. It overlooks the Marine Parade and we are currently sitting on the terrace outside our room enjoying a glass of wine as the sun has now come out.

Appropriate that we are here today in a city that has risen from the ashes as it is 2 years to the day since the terrible earthquake in Christchurch in 2011.