June 7 - Hastings and Napier

The weather wasn't looking so good so we decided to check out the countryside rather than try golfing.  However, it turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day.  We drove to Napier, what a pretty coastal town.  It was a civic holiday (the Queen's Birthday), however, the stores that are normally closed on Sunday are open for holidays, go figure, anyway we had things to look at besides the Aquarium which was absolutely great, we enjoyed it very much.  Not the type of aquarium we are used to.  Lots of very interesting things to learn here.

Here is the Kiwi I couldn't show before, they had a couple at the Aquarium, yes, it is a strange place for a bird to be hanging out, however, they at least had a sign I could photograph.  These two were more active than the ones at the Kiwi House.  I still couldn't get a good photograph myself, so had to make due.

On the way I saw another pair of black swans, however, I couldn't get a picture with both of their heads out of the water.  I took several snaps but this was all I could get.  I just love them.  They are so beautiful and graceful.

This is a seahorse, I never knew they were real

They are strange little creatures.  The male has the babies, you can't find fault in that habit.

They have a Reef exhibit here that is pretty nice, however, they do have some funny looking fish, wouldn't want to run into this one.  You can call him "Spike"

A Stingray, you can see his face underneath his body

They have a section where you go into a tunnel under the aquarium, this shark is swimming over our heads.  Hope the glass is thick!

After the aquarium, we went and explored the downtown area.  We came to the conclusion that New Zealanders go downtown for coffee when the weather isn't so nice.  All the Coffee Shops were crowded and they have a 10% surcharge on holidays.  We find the prices quite high considering you go up to a counter, place your order, pay, and in many instances pick up your order.  There is no service as we know it.  Anyway, enough of the complaining, we are still enjoying everything we see and do.