For all the leaflets that I have amassed on our travels (and that really is a lot, I like them!) we failed to acknowledge that the world famous tranzalpine train is only possible to do in one day FROM Christchurch. Hmm, looks like we'll be staying the night there then!
Rated as one of the top train journeys in the world, we embarked on it backwards! So whilst everyone else was hurriedly re-boarding after their lunch stop, we were simply boarding!!!! Not letting a little thing like that get in our way we took our seats and prepared for the 4.5hr journey. I think we may need a beer, after all we travelled to the other side of the world to get away from trains!!!! With beers in hand we headed into the valleys. The scenery is renowned for being somewhat different on each coast and the train is a great way of seeing the diversity. We travelled via rivers and lakes, through tiny villages (one with only one resident!), past forests and mountains, over viaducts and through tunnels, evenutally ending up on the vast and flat Canterbury plains. Just about everything that you can see in one day! The journey has sporadic commentary of the sights and history which makes it all the more enjoyable. There are even stops along the way for photos, what more could you ask for.
Once back in Christchurch we found ourselves back in Cathedral Square, only this time checking into a hostel. Not wanting to hang around in our bunkbed room we headed out to town where we bagged a bargain in the form of a dinner and movie deal. How civilised being back in a city again!
An early start was made earlier by one of our roomates not setting an alarm for his 4.30am airport taxi. After much banging on the door, conversation and frantic packing he left! We vacated a mere 2 hrs later for a 7am shuttle back to the train station. The weather was once again kind to us, as overnight it had snowed, leaving the glorious Southern Alps snow capped. We boarded once more for our return leg, paying a little less interest to the commentary this time - how people do both journeys in one day is beyond us, we were grateful of the break. We were also graced by thick fog around Arthurs Pass which gave it a mystical feel as we trundled through.
All round a lovely trip, once again made better by the quietness of "off peak" and the setting of winter.
Next stop Barrytown (where I hear you ask? You'll see!)...................