Napier, New Zealand

 

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND

January 31, 2025

The second largest wine growing region in New Zealand, the Hawke’s Bay area boasts more than 70 vineyards.  

Napier has an impressive cityscape of art deco architecture often compared to Miami Beach.  Three of us, Sandy, Jim and Joe Buckovic, decided to take in the majestic scenery of the Tukituki Valley with a ride through Napier and along the coast to the peak of Te Mata on a custom-built Supertrike!!!! 

On the way to the meeting point, we passed this playground for kids with scooters and bikes complete with traffic lights and roundabouts to teach them some rudimentary driving practices!


We met our driver, Phil Kavanaugh, outside the National Aquarium of New Zealand.

The people of New Zealand are among the most environmentally-conscious citizens in the world.


Here is what our transportation looked like.

This is a custom-built 5-seat motorcycle that was made in Christchurch and is most likely a one-of-a-kind machine. Our route would take us through the Tukituki Valley and then to the peak of Te Mata mountain to view some of the most spectacular scenery we have seen. The route is the yellow line on this map.

And away we went!


The scenery speaks for itself.





There wasn’t any real danger of any of us stepping out onto this hang glider take off ramp!

We all got our chance to pose on the Trike.


Some of the fine citizens of Napier dressed up and brought their vintage autos to greet us on our return to the ship.




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