KapCon, Napier & Deco, Rotarua & Thermal Springs

[tcpip]

New Zealand journey continues.. Went to KapCon on Saturday and Sunday, managed to get into a German indie game called Ratten (guess what that's about), and then into a contemporary Five Go Mad in Dorset scenario called 'Lashings of Ginger Beer' and a far amount of In A Wicked Age, the latter looking particular interesting. Very good to catch up with some of the NZ gaming crowd, such as mr_orgue and amphigori, along with seeing luciusmalfoy.

After this took the journey to Napier, New Zealand's Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (aka Art Deco) styled town, staying in the beautiful seaside Masonic Hotel. Napier was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake(s) and subsequent fire which destroyed much of the town (well presented at the local museum), leaving a artistic heritage at least equal to that of Miami or Bath. Given the recent earthquake in Haiti was of similar strength, and caused a much greater loss of life (c150,000), one can wonder why not a similar intent of reconstruction is not underway in Port Au Prince (yes, this is rhetorically posed), despite some high-sounding efforts

Following a couple of days in Napier took a journey inland through Taupo and visited the appalling misnamed Craters of the Moon, a thermal area run by the Dept. of Conservation (and ergo, less touristy than others), whilst on our way to Rotorua, a place famous for thermal springs, volcanic eruptions, and hydrogen sulphide. Staying there at the semi-grand Victorian Princes Gate Hotel we spent many hours at the local Museum, a mock-Tudor building which has had a previous existence as a bath-house and nightclub. The Edwardian medical enhancements for the 'healing waters' were most remarkable; electrified baths, added radium, and x-rays were all in use to cure various ailments. Note must be also given to the superb Cafe Ephesus where we had dinner of exceptional quality and portions (and very gentle on the purse). Also visited the Ohinemutu village and St. Faith's Anglican Church which rather beautifully combines colonial and indigenous religious symbols.

Currently at Otorohanga.. When I get back pictures will come!

Comments

[luciusmalfoy.livejournal.com]

How were the rats?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It was cute, more cartoony than realistic. It was set in a deserted shopping centre.

I think Lashings of Ginger Beer was better, although it was certainly more adult in flavour :)

[fluffyblanket.livejournal.com]

All that sounds great fun ! I LOVE Art Deco !

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm rather fond it it myself, along with Art Noveau. But having a multitude of buildings in the Deco style is very nice indeed. It's a shame that some of the nicer buildings now have some rather contemporary themed interiors (e.g., a Lone Star Cafe, a Breakers cafe etc) which looking rather cheap compared to photos of what they used to look like inside.

[fluffyblanket.livejournal.com]

http://www.artdeconews.com/AustralianArtDeco.htm

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

They're pushing it a bit if they think Melbourne is an art-deco destination. Contrary to what the front-page article suggests examples of art deco buildings are pretty thin on the ground (and this comes from someone who has spent the last six years living in art deco and art noveau apartments in Melbourne!)

OTOH, it is has many excellent examples of Victorian (not a surprise) and Second Empire architecture.

[fluffyblanket.livejournal.com]

Wow - lucky you !

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Well, the St. Kilda flat was positively tiny (albeit with some very cute features), but the Ripponlea one is of a more useful size. Although following discussion last night casopaya and I have agreed that both are deco period rather than one being noveau.

Now just to move into our 1990s produced townhouse in Second Empire grounds. Damn, where did all those books come from?

[angel80.livejournal.com]

Did you ever see that movie about when Agatha Christie (aka Vanessa Redgrave) went missing and it turned out that she went to Harrogate and had similar therapeutic treatments and a romantic (though unconsummated) fling with Dustin Hoffman while back home they were dragging the pond for her? Your description of Rotorua reminded me of that.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Agatha! I know the film, but I haven't seen it. caseopaya remembers it however.. There was a more recent Dr. Who episode which concentrated on her eleven missing days...

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

sounds like a busy time

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I'm a pretty efficient traveller :)

[mr-orgue.livejournal.com]

Great to see you! Sorry we didn't get more chance to chat, or to play any games together!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Alas indeed, we were both very busy - you with the Con and me about to flit off to Napier.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

Also visited the Ohinemutu village and St. Faith's Anglican Church which rather beautifully combines colonial and indigenous religious symbols.

Sounds almost South American. :)

Hope the reconstruction efforts in Haiti can budget for a bit of rebar.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... yes, South American Catholics are rather fond of the syncretic combination. It's pretty rare among stiff-lipped Protestants however, although I suppose if any were likely to give it a whirl it would be the Anglicans.

I might see if the Melbourne Unitarians would be brave enough to get some Wurendjeri consultants in for some motif designs.