Greymount in the south
Trip Start
Feb 06, 2007
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4
9
Trip End
Jul 09, 2007
Greymount, New Zealand
Monday, February 12, 2007
We are in Graymount on the west side of the south island today. We got here yesterday. We took a flight from Auckland to Christchurch. The flight was 1hr and 20 mins. We stayed in the airport when we arrived for the night it was horrible but we wanted to get a train that left at 7am .the train journey we took was very very beautiful it went through the southern alps.
The TranzAlpine is rated as one of the great train journeys of the world. We travel between Christchurch and the West Coast. After crossing the Canterbury Plains, we climb through alpine foothills and the Waimakariri Gorge to Arthur's Pass National Park. Eventually we reach 737 metre high Arthur's Pass - surrounded by snow capped mountain peaks. Heading downwards again, we entre the Otira Tunnel... and burst out into the pristine rainforest of the West Coast. A hundred years ago gold diggers filled much of the West Coast - today it's more famous for its ancient trees, mountains, tranquil lakes and wildlife. Our journey ends at Greymouth on the shores of the Tasman Sea. There's a lot to look forward to! Our journey is 231 kilometres long and takes four and a half hours. There are 19 tunnels, and the highest viaduct is the Staircase at 73 metres.
This train trip was really worth the 5 hr journey. Greymouth is a small enough place so we are only staying here a night. We are staying in the global Village.
Michelle and I went kayaking she fell in and of course I was laughing and then i fell in head first.It was a great laugh. We head to Franz Josef Glacier tomorrow the 13th can't wait!
Signing out Annmarie
