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tcpipNew 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 ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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!
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!
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no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 06:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 06:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 07:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 09:32 am (UTC)OTOH, it is has many excellent examples of Victorian (not a surprise) and Second Empire architecture.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 09:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-27 06:46 pm (UTC)Now just to move into our 1990s produced townhouse in Second Empire grounds. Damn, where did all those books come from?