Travel back to the 1930s in Napier, New Zealand
Located on the East coast of the North Island in New Zealand, Napier is the ultimate “Art Deco” capital. The mini-city itself was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is about four hours drive North of the NZ capital Wellington.
Travel back to the 1930s in Napier, New Zealand
For those who don’t know, I first went to New Zealand back in 2018 to do a semester abroad in Dunedin. I’ve done a handful of posts on some of my travels there here. I have even gotten to travel back to NZ two more times since then to visit my boyfriend who is from there 🙂
SO if you’re interested in more NZ content (because honestly I could do so much!) let me know!!!
Check out my last travel post Halstatt — an Austrian gem.
I visited Napier last September and beyond blown away with how much it felt like I was in NZ…. but wasn’t… at the same time…
Napier, New Zealand
Art Deco, short for Arts Décoratifs, is characterized by rich colors, bold geometry, and decadent detail work. Having reached the height of its popularity in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, the style still brings in glamour, luxury, and order with symmetrical designs in exuberant shapes
One thing that always cracked me up about New Zealand (especially the North Island) is sometimes you can’t tell if you’re in Hawaii with palm trees or some distant rain forest filled with ferns. New Zealand trees are so random and unique in the best way.
Like, if I told you that this photo was taken in NZ, at first, would you believe me?
Not that I’m big into trees to begin, as I’m more of a marine biologist kinda person, but I’ve also been debating just buying a book on New Zealand trees. Genuinely there is just something about them that makes me really think HA!
It was incredible how the “Art Deco” architecture filled the streets entirely. It was almost like taking a time machine back 80–90 years.
This “Telegraph” building was by far my favorite to see. I love the way they made it so intricate, yet minimalistic.
Napier is also known for their waterfront, or the “Marine Parade”; there’s gorgeous pathways all along the waterfront lined with these deco pillars and of course, with all of the funky trees!
As much as I loved all the architecture (and good coffee), my highlight had to be the National Aquarium of NZ where they highlight their resident little blue penguins with their famous “Naughty & Nice Penguin of the Month”.
Right outside of Napier is an absolutely stunning wine region which I will definitely do a whole post on soon, so keep an eye out!
As always, thanks so much for chosing to read this and check out my blog 🙂
Lots of love,
Originally published at http://flippersandflatwhites.blog on May 22, 2020.
