Today I travelled on one of the top six scenic rail journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine--The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure. After crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, we wound our way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakaariri River valley. I am running out of descriptive adjectives!!!!!We continued up and over the Southern Alps, with their snow capped peaks and stopped briefly at Arthur's Pass. a small alpine village. 737 metres above sea level. Here too cattle are being farmed albiet without the lush pastures of other areas!! There are a few hardy souls who continue to live here, but not a quarter that were there during the mining era. There were a few hardy trekkers (called trampers in NZ) who left us, anxious to begin their hiking. We then started descending through the lush beech forests and past Lake Brunner to the West Coast town of Greymouth on the Tasman Sea. The coaches were extremely comfortable, the nibblies excellent and for the hardy there was an outdorr coach. A trip of a lifetime, with spectacular vistas everywhere!!

From Greymouth we boarded our coach once again and passed through the towns of Kumara and Hokitika that were once centers of feverish gold mining activity. Eventually the narrow coastal strip of land between the mountains and the sea became more forested as we passed through Ross, Hari Hari and Whataroa to reach the glazier region of Franz Joseph. This remote village is set on the 600 km coastine in the Westland National Park, yet offers the amenities of a city amongst some of the wildest scenery in New Zealand. It is a relaxing bush environment with one of only two glaciers in the world that descend from crisp clear snowfalls into lush temperate rainforest. Apparently there are vistors from all around the world who come for the unspoilt beauty it offers. The pocketbook didn't allow for a helicopter ride to land on the Franz Joseph Glacier!!!!

Had a beautiful supper of roast pork (crackle) and all the trimmings, followed by tiramasu, and of course a nice glass of red wine. I was stuffed, but one of the best meals so far, in a cozy pub right next to my accomodation.

What can I say---another day of spectacular scenery. Glad I don't have to drive on the left hand side through those mountains!!