Napier and Hawkes Bay

What drew us here was the Art Deco downtown, constructed after a devasting 1931 earthquake, mirroring the Art Deco roots of many of our downtown buildings in Asheville, North Carolina.

Hawkes Bay is also well-known for its extensive fruit-growing (apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots) and for numerous award-winning vineyards (30+).

Walking around on a rainy day, what struck us is how lush and abundant the gardens are, at least in the hilltop sector around our Airbnb. New Zealand’s climate is hospitable to plants from around the world, and Napier, being a milder climate than some places on the North Island, certainly reflects that.

Here’s the view from our room.

Perched on the edge of the Bluff Point lookout was what looked like a century plant in full bloom.

And even though I don’t ordinarily like unusual colors of Echinacea,this planting was striking.