January 16, 2024
My morning started with a walkabout in the small town of Franz Jospf . The town consist of one main street filled with lodging and restaurants so not much to see but then you look up and see the sun shinning on the mountains as the glacier and it’s spectacular.
Back on the coach I am headed to Greymouth where I will catch the Tranzalpine train back to Christchurch.
One of our stops on the way to Greymouth was at a memorial to the Chinese workers who died mining gold in the area. The simple tribute on a beautiful lake was so serene. The legend is that if you rub the head of the lion you will be granted good luck. Of course I rubbed it’s head!!!
Our lunch stop before we got to the train was a small town with lots of unique shops including a possum shop that sold everything made out of possum fun. No I did not buy anything. My favorite shop was a glass shop where the artist was blowing glass. I was amazed how quickly he could create amazing glass art.
Back on the coach we only had another 40 minutes till we got the Greymouth to board the train.
While I was waiting for the train I wandered the town and spotted some great street art!!
Soon it was time to be on the train. The Transalpine train was build in the late 80’s to move gold from the west coast to the Christchurch.
Weaving coast-to-coast through the stunning Southern Alps, the route is truly stunning. Cutting through the mountainous spine of New Zealand’s South Island, the railway weaves through cliff-lined river gorges, over high mountain plains, over braided rivers and around pristine mountain lakes. The gorge was really spectacular. There was an open carriage where you could see the beauty without the glass of the train window.
What a fun way to end my New Zealand adventure!!
Tomorrow I begin my long trek home but I will not forget New Zealand. This is the most spectacular county that I have ever visited and the only one where I would love to live.
