Sailing for deco (when driving is not feasible) takes you to points down-under. So, dear readers, I (Chris) recently had the opportunity to take a trans-Pacific cruise from San Francisco to Australia with my brother and his friends. The itinerary included Hilo and Honolulu, Hawaii, several of the French Polynesian Islands (Bora Bora, Tahiti, Pago Pago), Tauranga, Auckland, Napier and The Straights of Melbourne (New Zealand) and Sydney (Australia). What excited me most was the stop at Napier. For those who aren’t aware, Napier is known for many things including its abundant Art Deco architecture. I could hardly wait to share my experience with you.
But a bit of history on how Napier became an Art Deco mecca.
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- City of Napier day after earthquake
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- The city left in ruins
On February 3, 1931, an earthquake and the ensuing fires destroyed most of Napier. The city was rebuilt in a mix of styles including simple clean homes influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, Spanish mission and the most popular style at the time, Art Deco. The clean, modern structures were a departure from the ornate building of the past. Many of these buildings have been maintained and/or restored to all their original beauty and are a major tourist attraction.
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- Ariel view of devastation
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- Fires destroyed what little was left
(photos via: https://www.napier.govt.nz/napier/about/history/napier-earthquake-1931/)
Anthony was not happy I was going here without him. In fact, I was not to show him pictures, get him a souvenir or talk about Napier. Imagine his surprise when I texted him that the ship was rerouted and we would not be landing in Napier. In fact, he didn’t believe me until he checked “cruise tracker” and saw us heading north.
So, now you’re asking yourself, if i didn’t go to Napier, why all this?
When we landed in Sydney, Australia we decided to try the hop on-hop off bus to get a lay of the land. Imagine my surprise and delight as I discovered Art Deco had influence in this city as well. I don’t know anything about these buildings and apologize for the less-than-artistic photos. (You try taking the perfect picture on top of a moving double-decker bus!)
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- Sydney Harbor 2019 – view from the ship
Here is a sampling of what I saw:
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- Civic Hotel, built in 1940 – art deco architectural tribute
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- The Light Brigade – 1939 (photo via ssydney-city.blogspot.com201409woollahra-light-brigade-hotel)
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- Deco store fronts
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- Deco apt building
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- Just a glimpse
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- Deco influence abounds
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- Paddo district
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- Varying styles
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- Apt complexes
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- Elevated apt complex
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- Elegant living
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- Imagine this in the original colors
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- Cool style
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- From the other side
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- Loving the roof line
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- Deco in all its color
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- Bright and beautiful
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- Newer building in deco style?
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- Strong vertical lines
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- A lucky homeowner
To experience a true Art Deco building, be sure to visit the Anzac Memorial. It is free to enter though donations are gratefully accepted.
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- Anzac Memorial – erected 1933-1394
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- Beautiful and respectful – note the statuary decorating it.
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- Marker and information on the memorial building.
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- Details that soar into the sky
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- Visitors must bow their heads to view the center piece of the memorial.
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- The fallen soldier borne by the grieving family left behind.
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- Looking up through the new museum wing.
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- Model used to produce the statuary.
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- They are approximately 1/3 the size of the finished statue.
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- They represent the various branches of the armed forces.
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- Each defines a branch of the military and an area of the museum.
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- Or, represent the duties of that branch.
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- Beautiful reminders of tragic events.
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- There was no air-force in WWI. Fliers were part of the army.
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- The importance and contributions of women are detailed.
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- Their service saved and comforted the wounded.
Hope you enjoyed the picture post and are inspired to travel to the world for great art deco!