Napier and other stuff

[vilakins]

We went to Napier today and I took more pictures of Art Deco, Spanish Mission, and Stripped Classic buildings than you can shake a stick at. It was two hours drive each way on often windy single-lane roads with the occasional passing lane, and I'm knackered. esp after two hours wandering around in the heat and humidity on the walking tour. But it was amazing and I also bought some gorgeous Art Deco stuff in the shop. We've been watching our Jeeves and Wooster DVDs and wow, did they get the Art Deco right with all the ziggurats round the doors in Bertie's flat etc. I love that series.

[Edit:] I should add that Napier was destroyed in an earthquake and subsequent fire in the 30s which is why it's full of beautiful 30s architecture.

Why am I posting when I'm so tired? Because Greg has to do some stuff for his work so I'm here in the internet cafe while he does.

Other purchases so far include DVDs of Babylon 5:The Lost Tales and Ladyhawk. Oh and we went to see Death at a Funeral yesterday when it was raining: Alan Tudyk was brilliant as an English guy on hallucinogens. It was a blackly funny film with a great cast: I gladly rec it.

Comments

[hafren.livejournal.com]

Sounds fun! Is Napier named after the Abyssinia general who hunted butterflies in his spare time and figures in the final Flashman novel? (Final, that is, unless GMF left any drafts we don't yet know about.)

You're making me want to go on holiday and I only just got back!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I have no idea, but probably! I haven't read that Flashman yet either; I must add it to my list.

Oh and all the streets in the centre of town are named after writers the 30s town planner liked: Tennyson, Browning, Emerson, Shakespeare...

[jacteest.livejournal.com]

I read somewhere that Napier was nominated to be put on the 'world heritage' list of Unesco. It must be great to walk in city full of art deco.
Have fun!

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

I really want to see Death at a Funeral :0)

I love deco architecture too, I look forward to the photos

[san-valentine.livejournal.com]

I love Ladyhawke. I've seen it three or four times in the cinema but it was almost impossible to find on video. I got a dvd almost as soon as I saw one. It's such a beautiful and well-written movie, and a great cast.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It's just the central city and a fair bit of one suburb, but it's amazing seeing so many gorgeous and beautifully maintained examples together. There are art deco houses in every city, but they're mixed in with villas and other styles. We would have bought one in Auckland a few years ago if they hadn't been building apartments next door.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I have taken soooo many, they'll be put in a gallery with just a few here, but not till I get back home. :-) I bought a lovely 30s lady and a gorgeous tile plus some cards, one of which looks like a 20s Servalan. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen it for years but it's such a great story and a wonderful cast. :-) It's wet today so I might watch it.