Since the weather is very wet and windy, we leave Wellington and decide to go not only to Palmerston but Hastings in one day.
Waking up happy, starting early.That could be my face seeing all these cheeses at Moore Wilson’s Wellington.After buying french camembert cheese, sourdough bread and authentic italian ham we take off on the highway, in baby steps.Stops are being made to accomodate the needs for run and play.This tree is huuuge (or is the man so small).Sliding on the yellow toddler’s slide.Food for the car.On our way to Havelock North.Detour to Te Mata Peak.The biking trails up the hill are legendary.The limestone that makes up the Te Mata ridges is fossil rich, the layers evolved due to sea level changes over geologic times – Sedimentation, uplift, erosion.Today, it’s the most popular rock to climb/walk/drive up for locals and tourists alike.Somebody once called these hills “buttresses”, idk what I should think about this.Ah! And the paragliding community of course :)Tukituki River hinterland.The last peak on Te Mata.Havelock N. and Hastings to the left, CnC in the middle, Tukituki on the right.Are regular bikers on a street also mountain bikers if the street climbs a mountain?Great curves.Where the bmx track starts.Walking Hastings, focus on murals.That’s how we found the library.Which is surrounded by art installations of different kinds.One is “Nga Pou o Heretaunga” – Each pou represents a tipuna (ancestor) from each of the 18 marae within the Hastings District. Tōtara for the pou are from Waimana, a gift from the Tūhoe people. The 19th pou was gifted by Pā Marie Ariki, Queen of Rarotonga, and represents the ancient connection that Ngāti Kahungunu of the Takitimu waka have to the people of Rarotonga and the wider Pacific.This falcon grabbed two cars when you were not looking.For the first time in the history of the Hastings District, the presence of mana whenua can be seen in the form of carvings that represent tupuna, located in Civic Square in the centre of Hastings.Detail on a pou.Traditionally carved wooden posts, pou are artistically and elaborately carved to mark places of significance and acknowledge the association between the people (Tangata) and the land (Whenua).Nga Pou o Heretaunga have been carved from ancient totara trees by a team of 20 carvers and support crews over a span of 10 months.A small passage between houses, of which one has been removed … noone knows how long it will be visible.Same wall, person who trumpets flowers.Heretaunga St.The Municipal Building project was the final part of the Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Event Centre work programme. This also included the earthquake-strengthening and refurbishment of the Toitoi Opera House and redevelopment of the former Plaza into a multi-use space.What the cow in Salzburg, the pelicans in pensacola, is the apple in Hastings … they are scattered all over the place, made from different materials, unique master pieces in the form of an apple – part of the “Big Apple” art installation show this year, most of the apples are not permanent but will be sold off, I read.The Pasifika mural on the second wing of the library. Now we went full circle, and just in time. The rain startet again and we’re heading for our motel! Good night :)
