I had delayed going to Napier because of their big wine festival last weekend. When I arrived I was told that the town was 'sold out' for this weekend too because of the big Englebert Humperdink concert. Apparently Englebert is so loved here that 20,000 new zealanders wouldnt miss his show for the world. I did manage to squeeze one night out of a B&B before the onslaught.

A cold front has rolled in and it is chilly. I have pants and my sweat top and vest on. The big ship is still stuck in Gisborne and now they are worried about an oil spill.

Napier is so beautiful. The architecture is just gorgous. I also managed to tour the graveyard and botanical gardens and aviary. See the next page.

Pictured to your right:

• the art deco showpiece is the National Tobacco company building with guilded lettering and more
• the ceiling in the foyer of the national tobacco company
• the red cigar store indian given to them by Canada - how very politically incorrect
• one of the beautiful homes