Blue

Are you ready to see some blue?? These are the views we had of Napier after climbing like a million stairs:




After getting the bird's eye view, we went on a little cruise to see the city from the water.

Fun Days and Nights in Napier

Just a couple fun Napier fountain pictures:

After we got a new car, we drove to a new beach. Of course once we got there it clouded over, but we got to see some beautiful things on the way.

Katie and I chilling out with Faith Jackson: (photo by Drew)

We stopped to walk to some falls - It was really peaceful there.
These guys were crazy - I could hardly stand putting my feet in that water it was so cold!

After a fun day out, we made a party with our German friends (Memhet and Daniel).

Faith Jackson

It is Friday, January 26th and we are still in Napier. We would have left last week sometime but we ran into some car problems. Smokey Joe (our first car) broke down. In a twist of irony, Smokey Joe started to smoke and his head gasket blew. I seem to have bad luck with those head gaskets because this has happened to me with a few other cars. As the mechanic said, "It's buggered." We were disappointed to hear that of course, but it really couldn't have happened in a better town. The owners of the hostel where we are staying (Jackie and Terry) have been helping us out so much. They are such kind people and we are so lucky to have met them. Terry found us a car on trade-me for $600!! We went and bought it yesterday. It is pastel blue with fuzzy pink seat covers (they actually say "princess" on them). It is exactly what we were looking for. It only needs to get us around for a few more months. We named this new car a more positive name: Faith Jackson aka pinky aka princess. She is awesome. Although we have had so much fun and met so many great people here in Napier, it is almost time for us to move on. We will probably leave Sunday or Monday, depending on when we can catch the ferry to the south island and what not. This area is one the sunniest in NZ and the weather here has been amazing. The last few days were sunny and in the high 80's. It was down right hot and I think we all got a little sun burnt. So, this place is not only sunny, but it has great art deco architecture and the nicest people . I will miss it, and I think that it will always be a great memory for me. We are so lucky to be able to have experiences like this!

Sun rise

Getting up early to watch the sun rise was totally worth it!

Cape Kidnappers

This is a place called Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay. It is a 5 mile walk to the end where you find a gannet colony. It is a walk that has to be taken during low tide because during high tide the ocean meets the cliffs. The cliffs were huge and layered. The gannet colony at the end was cool to see. Katie and a couple of friends walked all the way back making their walk 10 miles, but Drew and I got a ride back on a 4 wheeler. A nice family offered us a ride back because we helped them when the basket fell of their 4 wheeler. It was so much fun! We went for a swim when we got back to the area by the car. I love swimming in the ocean!

Te Mata Peak

This is from Te Mata Peak. It is a park about an hour away from Napier. It has hiking trails and a gorgeous view from the top. I went there by myself when Katie and Drew were working and had a nice little picnic. Katie went to the top with a group of people from the hostel on a sunny day. Maybe we will have to go back to show Drew. :)

Centennial Gardens

This is the waterfall at Centennial Gardens. It is so beautiful - I could sit and watch it for hours.

Bluff Hill Lookout

These are from Bluff Hill Lookout in Napier just above the harbor.

Napier

This is the town of Napier. We have been here now for 2 1/2 weeks and really like it here. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in Art Deco style. It is in Hawkes Bay and is located right on the Pacific ocean. I think it has a cabin feel to it. We have been staying at a hostel that has weekly rates that we really like. The owners are very kind and we have met so many nice travelers from all over. Katie and Drew worked at an apple orchard for a few days and met some nice people there too. We will be sad to leave here.

Hot Springs on New Year's Day

The geothermal activity may be stinky sometimes, but it definitely has its advantages. This is us in a heated stream on New Years Day. The water was like a perfect hot tub temperature and going under the waterfall felt like getting a massage. Nature can be so healing. It was the most perfect first day of the year I could ever hope for.

Another "engagement" photo of me and Drew. I love this picture! (Good job Katie!)

Rotorua

We went to Rotorua for New Year's Eve. It is geothermally active which makes it smell like sulfer. The water and even the mud boils. Really cool, but pretty stinky.

I'm afraid you can't see some of these pictures very well, but that is Drew and on the bridge (taken by Katie).
Katie was just hanging around... he he