Botanical Garden, Napier, New Zealand

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If you have taken the advice in the last post and enjoyed the views from Bluff Hill you have not got far to travel to enjoy the beauty of Napier's Botanical Garden.

Grab a picnic and some bread to feed the ducks and enjoy another of New Zealand's stunning collections of its flora and fauna.

At this point it seems worth mentioning that, like me, you may live in a country where litter louts seem to be a way of life? This wasn't our experience in New Zealand. I don't know if the New Zealand authorities are just very good at picking up litter as it falls or whether all people are just very tidy? Regardless of the reason the Botanical Gardens as with everywhere else was just so incredibly tidy and well kept.

Napier, The Scenic Option

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Napier is such a beautiful city on the North Island of New Zealand. There is also so much to do whether you are a native of the country or just on holiday as we were.

I'll kick off this post with a "scenic post"

Take note of where Bluff Look Out is on the map above. That seemingly little car park is the key to some of the best views over Napier, the port and surrounding areas. If you have a good zoom lens or zoom facilty on your camera you can get some great shots of boats in the harbour.

Hastings, New Zealand

Not to be confused with Hastings of 1066 fame (in England) the New Zealand version is just 20km away from another major city, Napier.

Hastings has grown to become the largest urban area in the Hawke's Bay Region. It is also now the regions primary centre for commerce, trade and industry.

A "smart" city, clean and tidy and with plenty of opportunities for the shopping addict.

Hastings is one of the most important fruit producing districts in New Zealand including apples, pears and stoned fruit. Its description on the city sign as "The fruit bowl of New Zealand" could not be a better description.