This was another, as we say, “good value for money” tourist activity. I could have just walked around the downtown core for free and taken pictures of all the lovely Art Deco buildings, or paid a few bucks for a self-guiding tour pamphlet.
I’m glad I forked over the $20 for a guided tour, which was very well set up. I think other cities could learn from this model. A short video was played at the beginning, concentrating on the 1931 earthquake that led to the rebuilding of Napier. Then the dainty little bird of a woman who was our tour guide took us out on a loop tour for about an hour-ish. We were encouraged to take as long as we wanted with photos, ask questions, leave the tour if we wanted. Awesome.
After the tour, and this is the part I think more historical walking tours should do, there was another video to ‘help tie everything together’. In this case it was about Art Deco in the larger historical context, funneling down to what we’d just seen and where it fits in to the big picture. Seeing individual images of buildings also helped imprint them on the brain.
Anyway, brilliant planning and possibly the best walking tour I’ve ever taken. And I am what you could call a walking tour nut. In fact (and this is unusual for me) I hardly had any questions for the guide, as it was so comprehensive. It was like the tour was designed for moi!
Oh, and tea was served before the video at the end. Classic.
Of course it didn’t hurt that I have always loved Art Deco: the simplicity, clean lines, colours. I am always on lookout for classic jewellery in that style, esp. bracelets. Fortunately I escaped their gift store unscathed, but here’s an unsubtle hint to my friends as to what to get me for Xmas. ;-)
Again, I have Rough Guide to thank for letting me know about this gem of a city, that has possibly the best collection of original Art Deco architecture in one area. (I’ve not been to Miami but I can’t imagine it would be this unsullied) I’ve culled a few of the many photos I took. As you might be able to see, the light conditions changed greatly over the course of an hour which just made things more interesting.
I’m glad I forked over the $20 for a guided tour, which was very well set up. I think other cities could learn from this model. A short video was played at the beginning, concentrating on the 1931 earthquake that led to the rebuilding of Napier. Then the dainty little bird of a woman who was our tour guide took us out on a loop tour for about an hour-ish. We were encouraged to take as long as we wanted with photos, ask questions, leave the tour if we wanted. Awesome.
After the tour, and this is the part I think more historical walking tours should do, there was another video to ‘help tie everything together’. In this case it was about Art Deco in the larger historical context, funneling down to what we’d just seen and where it fits in to the big picture. Seeing individual images of buildings also helped imprint them on the brain.
Anyway, brilliant planning and possibly the best walking tour I’ve ever taken. And I am what you could call a walking tour nut. In fact (and this is unusual for me) I hardly had any questions for the guide, as it was so comprehensive. It was like the tour was designed for moi!
Oh, and tea was served before the video at the end. Classic.
Of course it didn’t hurt that I have always loved Art Deco: the simplicity, clean lines, colours. I am always on lookout for classic jewellery in that style, esp. bracelets. Fortunately I escaped their gift store unscathed, but here’s an unsubtle hint to my friends as to what to get me for Xmas. ;-)
Again, I have Rough Guide to thank for letting me know about this gem of a city, that has possibly the best collection of original Art Deco architecture in one area. (I’ve not been to Miami but I can’t imagine it would be this unsullied) I’ve culled a few of the many photos I took. As you might be able to see, the light conditions changed greatly over the course of an hour which just made things more interesting.
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