Hourglass Hotel Greymouth

Y nos vino a recoger el pequeno bus que nos dejaria en la estacion de tren, donde tomaria el Tranzalpine, supuestamente uno de los mejores trayectos de tren y mas bonitos del mundo, atravesando el pais de este a oeste... y bueno, empezo bien, nos anunciaron la apertura del servicio de desayuno en el tren, que si cafe, que si bocadillos, que si huevos con beicon... y a uno se le hace la boa agua asi que, junto con los otros casi 200 pasajeros, me puse a hacer cola en el coche/restaurante, y co...

next stop: Greymouth and a meeting with the Monteith's Brewery Tour!

28th Februry 2008 As we were running out of time we decided to travel from the east coast of the island to the west coast in one go, planning to stay in Greymouth. It proved to be breathtaking views as we drove accross the alps that run down the middle of the island. We're getting quite good at driving along the crazy bending roads now! After a long drive we got to Global Village which was our hostel and were amazed at how nicely decorated and welcoming it was. The owners were world traveller...

We headed off earlyish (when I finally got out of bed) on Sunday morning. Stopped off at New Zealand's longest swing bridge and went for a bit of a walk before mum headed back across the river on a flying fox, she was a bit nervous as it was her first adventure activity. She claimed afterwards that it was a bit tame! We headed through Westport and stopped off in Punakaiki for the night. Another very early night for me as I was still catching up on lack of sleep. We stopped in the morning to c...

Kiaora from New Zealand!! Well I've been here for almost two weeks now and i'm absolutely loving it here!! This is the most beautiful and varied country ever - with some of the nicest people in the world living here (including me, although it's only temporary!!!). I arrived in Wellington (the Capital!) to grey wet skies - just like home!! And managed to hook up with a great friend of my friend's Step brother!!! As an excellent host Kath let me have the run of her house, however by the time i'...

We thought it couldn't happen but it could.  Arriving in Greymouth we found low grey cloud and rain :(  We couldn't do a lot until late afternoon when the rain cleared up at which point we drove out into the hills for a walk.  After getting lost trying to find the start of the walking track we finally found where we wanted to be and who should we bump into.....only the guys from the knife making day...what a small world it is.  They pointed us in the right direction so we only ended up with a...

Je n'ai pas peur de la route Faudrait voir, faut qu'on y goûte Des méandres au creux des reins Et tout ira bien là Le vent nous portera .... Génetique en bandouillère Des chromosomes dans l'atmosphère Des taxis pour les galaxies Et mon tapis volant dis ? Le vent l'emportera Tout disparaîtra mais Le vent nous portera The path from Westport to Greymouth was a short drive along the west coast of South Island. Clouds overshadowed the Tasman Sea. Occasionally a speckle of rain collided with our wi...

On the way up the West Coast, we stopped off in Hokitika, a small ex-gold mining town, as most of those on this coast are. After a visit to 'Sweet Alice Fudge Kitchen' which we'd read about and bought some for a treat - it's worth the flight to New Zealand, seriously. When we arrived in Greymouth, we realised very quickly that there is not a lot to do as it is very industrial and not at all touristy. However, our hostel was amazing; it had globally themed rooms, a spa, sauna and fitness room ...

A bright morning on the west and following last night's in depth research on Monteith's ale its going to be a slow start. After a late breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage we set ourselves the modest target of visiting the pancake rocks, about 40km up the coast. But the Global Village hostel is such a nice retreat it proves hard to leave. There's the garden to explore, a maze of attractive decking, Polynesian and African sculptures, lawns and free kayaks (although the adjacent river looks ...

Rolled downstairs for a coffee in the Saints & Sinners bar (unlimited access to all 'liquids' for $2) and was then told I could grab any of the other brekky items too (normally $7). I guess it was close to clear up time as the barman offered me the last of the bacon too. After a quick session in the internet cafe it was time to don the shadow for a short walk to Lichfield Street and Apex car hire. Well we have ourselves a 1999 Sunny which is automatic (took a few bunnyhops to get the hang...