Location: Napier, New Zealand (39� 29' 0? S, 176� 55' 0? E)
Date: 16 May 2009, 9.40am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5
Napier is one of the so-called �Twin Cities� on the eastern coast, Hawkes bay, of New Zealand; the other of the twin is Hastings. It is a major port for the region, shipping most of the North Island�s wool, citrus fruits and pulp and timber. The city is more well-known for its Art-Deco buildings. Napier was leveled by an earthquake in 1931 and was rebuilt in the style of the then-popular Art-Deco style. Though many of the buildings had been replaced by more modern designs, most of the Art-Deco buildings in the city center remained intact. Today these are the major tourist attractions though a statue akin to the Mermaid of Copenhagen, known as the Pania of the Reef, is much photographed. Honestly you don�t miss anything if you have not seen the statue.