Toadies story Hey there! My name is Toadie. I live at Toad Hall Backpackers, Napier, New Zealand. It's an interesting story as to how I came to be here, so pour yourself a glass of your favourite vice and listen up.
Do you recall the fabulous stories of Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Graeme? Mr Toad is the spontaneous character whom loves to entertain travellers in his large home Toad Hall. Well, as much as the Aunties frown over their tea cups, I'm a relative! Yep, family, blood ties! Oohhhh they hate that!
Anyway, when I rocked up to meet the ol' boy the look of surprise that came over his face was, to be fair, not entirely celebratory. There was a little flurry of activity followed by my rather quick departure. Under the watchful eye of the Aunties, peering over their looking glasses, I was ferried to the nearest airport.
"Discover the world and become respectable" were Mr Toad's parting words to me as he pushed me onto the plane bound for the other side of the world.
Now, before you start feeling sorry for me, please keep in mind that being on the other side of the world from those Aunties is a blessing. I am now in God's Own, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Paradise Island, fun & sun party package! Basically, it rocks here!
It seemed New Zealand didn't mind me being here either. When I applied to have my work visa extended, to be fair I was still doing the spade work on a certain cute frog from Clive Square, the immigration office got it all wrong and sent me a New Zealand Passport! Whooo hooooo!
Of all the places to 'discover the world and become respectable' Napier is a great choice. With its Art Deco roots making almost every city event have a focus on the sophisticated era of 1920-1940's this place oooozzes respectability! I decided the people of Napier needed a little bit of Toadie in their lives, just as much as I needed them.
The wine! It is quite simply, salve for the soul. Hawkes Bay makes the most fabulous wines, beers and condiments. This is condiment city! They make relish and chutney and sauce and jus and jam...to go with anything and everything! All to be served with wine, of course.
For all their poshness, here in Napier, they come from strong stock. In 1931 an 8.6 earthquake devastated the city, the fires that followed destroyed what was left of the inner city. It was a tough time dealing with the shock of loss and tragedy. However, they rebuilt. They made a city to be proud of and Proud they are!
So, you may wonder how a good looking Toad like me gets on amongst this courageous history, grand design and distraction of quality food and beverage. I must say, at times, I wonder myself!
Toad Hall Backpackers is my home. It's a grand ol' building that survived that 1931 earthquake, one of only four that survived in the central city area. The building is over 140 years old and I love the colourful past of taverns, cabaret bar, sailors hang out and the ladies of the night. If these walls could talk they would tell stories better left unsaid in the eyes of many posh Napier-ites.
And so, I bring balance. I will help you discover all the wonderful delights of Hawkes Bay. Together we can explore this city and have good clean fun - which has been known to include swimming in the Tom Parker Fountain. I have met local authorities. Their interpretation of swimming attire for a toad surprised me a little, but hey, if you have to keep your shorts on, I will too.
There is a lot of fun to be had at Toad Hall Backpackers. You might want to think of it as a destination rather than accommodation. The in-house events are still being talked about around the world. From the annual Undies on the Outside race in December right through to Ruthie's tequila fest in May. There is fun to be had, friends to be made and a region of New Zealand well worth exploring.
Come on over.
