Road Trip to Wellington, New Zealand January 2, 2011

January 2, 2011 - our roadtrip from Hastings to Wellington...

We left Hastings rather early, there was no usual traffic we encounter going out of the city, here, you just hop in your car and go... This was our first trip here so we are enjoying the countryside sceneries, farms and hillsides dotted by pine trees planted by landowners to mark the boundaries of their land, this was also my sister's first trip out of Hastings, altho she's been driving in and around Hastings, the furthest trip she has taken was only to Napier which was a 30 min ride away... 

since this was going to be a 6 hour road trip, we decided to stop by a smaller town called Waipawa, there we had breakfast at McDonalds... we were curious the subtle differences in the menu, perhaps the most eye opening is the prices are almost double how much we pay for the same hamburger in California... Sorry guys, just can't get over the high prices of food, one sit down brunch cost almost $60USD (practically $20 per person)..

After we came out of the very winding roads after passing all the dense forest of Whaka, we were greeted by this scenic beauty of Wellington on our way to the Hotel.

Houses dotted the horizon above the sea level... almost like driving to San Diego on Pacific Coast hwy.

The landscape was green and serene... not the usual city hustle and bustle traffic which is what I was expecting, instead we travelled all the kilometers (miles) on a 2 lane hwy and very seldom do you see congestions and traffic buildup...

We arrived at Hotel Ibis, in downtown Wellington, as in most city, traffic was a clockwork of one way streets and again, all driving  on the left hand side of the streets...

My sister and Sandy relieved to get out of the car after 6 hours of traveling, the city seemed almost empty...kept forgetting this was their holidays and no one works...

At the Hotel lobby, I was greeted by a very common sight in New Zealand, the All Blacks Rugby team (champions), this fully authographed picture mural was prominently displayed for every guest to see... 

2011 New Year's Fireworks spectacular Napier, New Zealand

January 1, 2011 - Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Year Celebration.....

 New Year Revelers, Kayvin, Nilda, Sandy, Jonilyn and Tamway (kneeling)...

Celebrating the New Year at Napier, New Zealand...

 The Scottish Marching Band of Napier entertained the crowd with their rendition of modern songs...island style..

 Fireworks over Hawkes Bay, shot by and courtesy of Norm Daken, these awesome fireworks display captured right on the beach of Napier.

Welcoming the New Year - 2011, a dazzling fireworks display at the Napier Marine Parade Amphitheater...

2011 New Year's Fireworks spectacular Napier, New Zealand

January 1, 2011 - Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Year Celebration.....

 New Year Revelers, Kayvin, Nilda, Sandy, Jonilyn and Tamway (kneeling)...

Celebrating the New Year at Napier, New Zealand...

 The Scottish Marching Band of Napier entertained the crowd with their rendition of modern songs...island style..

 Fireworks over Hawkes Bay, shot by and courtesy of Norm Daken, these awesome fireworks display captured right on the beach of Napier.

Welcoming the New Year - 2011, a dazzling fireworks display at the Napier Marine Parade Amphitheater...

2011 New Year Eve Dinner and Dancing at the RPA Club Napier, New Zealand

December 31st, 2010 - New Year's Eve Dinner celebration at Napier, New Zealand...

 Enjoying the New Year Dinner at the RPA Club in Napier, Nilda de Leon, Sandra deLeon and Kayvin...

 Kayvin is joined by Jonilyn Domingo and partner, Tamway...

 After dinner, we hang out at the Red Carpet Sports Bar in downtown Napier, where, Tamway belows out a Maori love song...

 Gambling is legal in New Zealand and Australia, there's slot machines in almost every night club or bars as well as their hotel lobbies and casinos..

 I couldn't say not to everyone who was asking me to sing a song or two...

 NIlda deLeon sings her heart out at the Karaoke Bar...

 While waiting for midnight, we passed the time with dancing total strangers and friends who came with us to celebrate the new year..

Napier City Shops, New Zealand 2010

December 30, 2010 - Napier City Shops and boardwalk....

Sandy and Nilda enjoying the leisure stroll along Queen Street shops, lined with cafes, bistros, and one of a kind shops, Napier offers every visitor their own attractions, their people...

 Outside Cafe and Bistros dot the main streets of Napier making this resort town quaint and  very inviting, the people greet you on the streets with warm hellos (G'daay) while boasting the local crafts and curio items...

 One of the few Steakhouses open this time of year in Napier, Charlie's offers gaming dishes that to a novice traveler is something exotice such as the  Venison steaks, Lamb steaks & other not so familiar dishes..

Napier Beach, New Zealand - Hawkes Bay - Beach Town Resort

December 30, 2010 - Napier Beach, at Hawkes Bay in New Zealand...Summer during the Holidays which was very unusual to us...

Napier beach is lined by gravel like beach sides, the water temperatures were warm and almost inviting to go swimming during New Year...

Napier beach Marina, found at Hawkes Bay, this sleepy resort town is such a delight to visit during the holidays, simply no crowd to contend with...

 Napier's beach front homes along the Marine Parade Avenue, across from the National Aquarium which unfortunately has been closed down and somewhat neglected old building..

 Marine Parade Amphitheater is right on the beach, houses music and show conerts, well celebrated is the New Year's fireworks display where thousand of locals and tourist alike flock to this area and revel the coming of the new year...

 I am walking along the Marine Parade Amphitheater as we explored the beachside attractions the city has to offer..

 Marine Parade Avenue beach walkways offer a visiting traveler the true nature and the laid back spirit of Napier's beach side attractions...

The Marine Parade PAR Mini Golf - a very popular destination for visiting travelers lots of family activity and very affordable.

 

Sandy as we parked along the PAR Mini Golf on Marine Parade Avenue, the red jeep in the background is my sister's transport, cute and petrol (gas) saver.

 Napier's Visitor Center right on Marine Parade offers shopping, tour destinations, sights and brochures for the visitors.

 Napier's Sunken Garden, is a tranquil haven for those who just want to absorb the city's freshness and laid back 'NO hurried' lifestyle... Just a few miles(kilometers)  from their Botanical Garden, offers local plant varieties and English Garden setting...

 Sandy deLeon and Nilda deLeon enjoying the beauty of the sunken park.... how coulod you not? It is right along the beach, just drop your shirt and go swimming..

 I was a little overdressed for the locals this time of year, most visitors are in their short & sandals, since I really did not know what to expect, I thought I was dressed casual enough...

Sandy admiring the pebble beach of Napier, we don't come across this kind of beach in California... this tells me that the island is still very young, the water was very inviting and we had to fight the urge to go swimming... since after all, it was freezing in California...

 Art Deco Visitor's Center building is lined with Maori Totem Poles on the water fountain in-front of the building..