The Tranz Alpine Express to Arthur's Pass
NEW ZEALAND | Saturday, 15 December 2007 | Views [2608]
That's as good as it gets!
We'd booked this train journey through the mountains awhile ago. It claims to be one of the most scenic journeys in the world - with the sort of scenery we've gone through in the last few weeks it's not too hard to believe. Our luck seems to have changed however, it's a rainy, cloudy early morning when we board the train at Christchurch. Our plan was to enjoy the scenery, exit the train at Arthur's Pass, spend some of the 5 hours stoppover walking, and then catch the same train back on its return leg. On the way there the relaxing rythm of the train (and my early start) means i fall asleep for at least 10 minutes - as the whole point is to enjoy the scenery it's probably the most expensive sleep of my life. At Arthur's Pass there aren't really any views due to the weather (raining) and there's not much in the way of a town either. Somehow 5 hours slips by very quickly with eating, drinking, using the coldest roomed Internet ever and watching the Kea's - pesky big parrots capable of snatching a camera who love chewing rubber at any opportunity. I manage to stay awake for the return journey, even through the repetitive commentary on the train: train "...this town now has a permanent population of..." Me "1" train "his nickname is..." Me "Rambo" train "...allegedly he can bend iron rails with his teeth..." Me "yeah right" The trip wasn't worth the money - but it was a very enjoyable, relaxed day with good company. Sadly it is my last full day with Tony :(