Where I Wear My Moccasins Juggling the commitments of a student and dreams of a traveller.

On the bus ride to Napier, I enjoyed a kiwiana shake (kiwi & banana) at one of the pit stops, prayed that the bus wouldn't break down as the gears made horrible noises going uphill, and had a enlightening conversation with one of the locals.  I never asked his name, but our talking covered politics (which I really wasn't that comfortable discussing), languages, food, family and his Cambodian girlfriend.  The bus arrived late in the evening in Napier and the driver dropped me off at my hostel, YHA Napier.  The location was great and the building quite maze-like with all the winding hallways and endless doors.  YHA Napier is right on Marine Parade and a stone's throw from the beach.  It was sad that I didn't have a room that overlooked the ocean but rather a driveway.  I couldn't believe that the office closed at 8pm and was glad I had called earlier to inform them of my late arrival because there waiting for me on the desk was my room key-addressed to Anna Madeline... :)  I find it amusing that even in a foreign country I run into the same misunderstandings as I would back home.  We are all not that different are we then?  I didn't do much in Napier but antique shop, window shop, thrift shop, eat, enjoy the beach and pretty much relax.  Which I was content with after the viticulture field trip and the busy city of Wellington.   The art deco buildings were fantastic!  I would recommend this place for a short low key getaway.