More Maungatapere

Back at Maungatapere Malcolm and I visited the Packard Motor Museum. The guide insisted we had our photos taken in this car. :-)

The museum is home to over 50 Packard cars, 65 classic motorbikes, other cars, trucks, fire engines, steam and traction engines...

Vehicles old and rusty as well as the shiny ones.

In shed 4 (of 5) there were mannequins that were dressed t reflect the era of the cars.

Not forgetting the world famous potato masher collection.

 

Whangarei Quarry Gardens Sculpture Trail

Instead of a photo of Malcolm eating, here's me. :-)

It was my birthday so we had lunch at Quail Cafe with friends then wandered around the gardens looking at the plants and the sculptures on the sculpture trail

 

Hundertwasser Arts Centre

We didn't have to wander too far to visit the Hundertwasser building at Whangarei's Town Basin last week. This post is for family and friends overseas as most NZers know about the building and the man.

The building is Hundertwasser's last design. Most of his buildings are in Europe but he lived in Northland for the last part of his life. It is built without straight lines, with many recycled materials and with a living roof.

This ramp leads to the cafe that looks down on the yachts in the basin.

Part of the exterior that faces the road.

Looking down from the cafe.

Carving at the entrance to the interior, where the galleries are.

View from the road.

Inside the toilets.

Aqua Cafe. There's also a terrace.

In the Wairua Gallery. It showcases Maori art.

Part of the Hundertwasser exhibition. It tells his life story and has tapestries, posters, original artworks, photographs, models....

There are mosaics everywhere.

An example of Hundertwasser's environmental posters.

View from the rooftop garden.

Inside the cupola. This is his yacht. He lived aboard for 10 years and sailed to New Zealand.

Part of the rooftop garden.

We were the first people through the door on opening day. It totally lived up to expectations. A must visit for New Zealanders.

 

Whangarei Staycation

We have been spending January in and around our home town, Whangarei, enjoying the beaches, bush and times socialising with friends. I've been for several swims at Wellingtons Bay (above and below)

In the other direction, McLeod Bay in the Whangarei harbour... 

I've had a few visits to Waipu; we've walked to the pancake rocks, had lunch at Cove Cafe, dinner at the Pizza Barn, (followed by a folk music concert), attended markets and a New Years Day carnival.

Waipu Estuary

Pancake rock formations on the walk from waipu Cove to Langs Beach.

On the pancake rocks walk

Another nice beach and estuary at Pataua

Then there's our lovely shady bush walks. This is Mair Park, my local walking place beside the river...

And this is a kauri at A H Reed Park

Some of our social activities...night markets and live music at Tutukaka Marina...

listening to jazz at Waipu

folk musicians (10 instruments between them!) Polytropos at Waipu

Steampunk Scottishness and markets at Waipu

Malcolm's birthday celebrations...

The wine is called Malcolm and it goes well with cheese

This get together is at our friend Pam's...

...evening view from her place.