One more night......just one more night....

Trip Start May 07, 2008
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Trip End May 20, 2008


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Flag of New Zealand  , South Island,
Monday, May 19, 2008

There was a VERY early start this morning because we both went to bed so early last night.  At 5.30am, the lights finally went on.....we decide a cuppa was in order and then proceeded to watch "Barnyard" - a nickelodeon version of a disney movie.  Next we knew, it was 7.30am.  Natasha went for a quick run and Natalie attempted to pack her case.....it all fitted!

We left the glaciers at about 9.30am, after a quick stop at Full of Beans.  The drive to Hokitika, although marred by much roadworks, was lovely and scenic.  We were there by about 11am.  We visited the jade stop and collected some more petrol before tootling off to Greymouth (about 40mins away).  We arrived in Greymouth and found the train station and checked our bags in - Natalie's was 24kg and Natasha's was 28kg....not bad considering.

Now it was 12.30, so we found Montieths Brewery and popped in for a tasting....after 30mins learning and tasting and having a go at pouring....!...we found some lunch at a local pub.

At 1.30pm, we went back to the station and boarding the train to Christchurch.  4.5 hours later, we arrived in Christchurch.  The trip was scenic and pretty.  We would suggest that you only go one way (we've come across many that have been both ways) and probably Christchurch to Greymouth is better.  More importantly, it's probably only really worth going in winter......it was scenic but not much more special than if we'd driven.  Anyhoo, we can say we have travelled the TranzAlpine Express.

We checked back into the Rydges and found some dinner at a local pub called Baileys....great risotto.  And then, another early night.
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