Napier.....

We arrived in Napier around 10ish and used street parking that was for 2 hours. In our lonely planet guide it suggested a route to take through the town (walking) to see all the historic 1920s buildings. We really recommend seeing Napier , it is one of our favourite places we've been to.

The town is really colourful and the 1920s theme is carried throughout, even to the road signs!! You can walk along the beach and take cheesy photos if you wish ( Like we did) or you can do the building tour which takes around 45 mins if taking photos. Walking tours - If you want a tour guide but if not, you can find the walk in your lonely planet book.

After a nice afternoon in Napier we decided to drive upto Lake Taupo hoping that we would find some accommodation on the way.

Our cheesy pic!!! It's meant to be a heart ....

After an hour and a half drive we found this great Truck stop on the SH5 (highway) in Rangitaiki called the Rangitiki tavern. We thought it was just somewhere we could eat , which was really cheap and really good food. The truckers voted it runner up in the truck stop competition. It should have won in our eyes, we had a burger each but not their FAMOUS bugger burger which consists of every meat except fish and this was only $15. They had a wood burning fire that we snuggled up to as it is very cold down there. Marion & Duncan (the owners) allowed us to stay at the truck stop overnight for $10 for both with hot showers and towels and even filled our hot water bottle. We stayed for breakfast too , for fruit and toast but they do full english and it is busier in the mornings with all the truckers but Marion and Duncan still couldn't have been more accommodating.
They had goats which we could go and see and take pictures. We wish we could have stayed here every night.

Love S&L xx