Day 2 - TranzAlpine

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Up early today for our ride on the TranzAlpine. This is a train journey that is one of the top five most scenic in the world. It is a four-hour journey that goes from Christchurch on the east coast, to Greymouth on the west coast.

Our train departed at 8:15am, and took us along the Canterbury plains. This is where a lot of NZ’s agricultural production occurs. Once you are out of Christchurch, your eyes are immediately drawn to the approaching Alps and the amazing sights that await. And once you cross the Waimakariri River, it starts in earnest. As the river is fed by glaciers, the sediment that is washed along and settled in the river bed gives the rivers a deep turquoise colour. Seeing we were returning via train as well and the weather was fantastic, we mainly observed the scenery from our seats and enjoyed a very nice Devonshire tea. On the way back, we spent more time on the open air (read ‘very cold, windy and noisy…but still beautiful) observation decks. Unfortunately you really have to fight for elbow room when taking photos, especially next to the Japanese man whom I was standing next to who seemed to want to take photos of EVERYTHING!!!

Both ways you stop at Arthur’s Pass for a little while which also has beautiful scenery. On the way back to Christchurch, I couldn’t help but have a chat to the engineer. NZ has 3.5 ft gauge railways, and the diesel engines that were pulling us put out a massive 3300kW of power. And it puts that max power out at what the average family sedan nearly idles at. BWWWWAAHHH!

On the west of Arthur’s Pass is the Otira Tunnel. It’s something like 6kms long and was built in the early 1900s. An amazing project given the engineering of the time. The tunnel is perfectly straight and the walls have a deviation of no more than 20mm!

On our stopover at Greymouth, we went to Speight's Alehouse. Speight's is a beer owned by Lion Nathan and produced in Dunedin. Not a bad beer at all. We had lunch and the meals were massive. Emma's burger that she ordered is pictured below. Matt had a seafood chowder along with Speight's Pilsner. NZ'ers seem to know how to make beer OK.

Once we got back into Christchurch, we went straight to the Christchurch Cathedral for the Festival of Nine Lessons. This was a series of nine Bible readings done by various local dignitaries, along with performances by an amazing choir and carols for the 500-odd congregation to join in.

That rounded out a most excellent day which we both enjoyed immensely enjoyed.

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Photos

TranzAlpine #1
On the observation deck, heading towards the Alps.

TranzAlpine #2
Emma at Arthur's Pass.

TranzAlpine #3
Matt with the diesel.

Speight's Alehouse at Greymouth
Emma and THE burger.

TranzAlpine #4
The Waimakariri River.

TranzAlpine #5
Another view of the Waimakariri River.