To Christchurch

Trip Start Feb 08, 2008
1
22
29
Trip End Mar 10, 2008


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of New Zealand  ,
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Today is the last day of our bus tour and we will finish with one more train journey.   As is the norm for us the day we are leaving is a beautiful sunny morning and we start off by  bus, our destination  Greymouth where we will transfer to the Tranz Scenic Rail line for the final part of our journey, now going cross country back to Christchurch.   Our bus trip starts along the west coast, a wild twisty road going up into the mountain and I have made the mistake of sitting on the right side of the bus - looking down into long gorges and trying not to focus on  the white line and non existent shoulders.   The hairpins turns seem endless but we do finally emerge from the Southern Alps , once again seeing numerous sheep and dairy cattle.   The highlight off our morning is our coffee stop - the Bushman Centre home of the famous Pete's Possum Pie (and they aren't kidding).  The owner does indeed look like a bushman and the restaurant is decorated in animal skins, stuffed animal heads, and huge wooden tables.  The outside of the restaurant is decorated in a huge replica of a bug, I definitely did not feel hungry Views along the Way
Views along the Way
 .  
 
By early afternoon we are at the train station, which will once again not be departing on time.  I find a nearby submarine sandwich shop and stock up on sandwiches for the train trip.  We are seasoned train travelers now, bringing our own sandwiches and  beer in our backpack.  We do splurge on the train, and share what we have discovered to be the best thing on the menu, Devonshire Tea which is tea, two warm scones with butter, raspberry jam and whipping cream.  Al pronounces them the best ever, I remind him my Grandmother's scones were the best in the world, these are only second best.  This train journey is a very beautiful trip.  We go through rolling hills covered in Tussock grass, laurel leaf willows in low lying areas, some turning of color as fall is not far away here.  We go over a series of viaducts and look down into deep gorges, very beautiful.  This trip does not have as many stops as our previous trips, but of course we still arrive late.
Slideshow Print this entry