Caboose

On Friday a couple of us were picked up from the hostel in Christchurch and taken to the station to catch the TranzAlpine train across the Alps to Greymouth.

Once I’d checked in and dropped my bags off at the luggage van I took a few pictures of the train and found my seat. The carriages are fairly comfortable, with nice big windows. During the journey the train manager gave a commentary pointing out various scenic or interesting things. In the middle of the train is an open observation car, this was crowded with the “my DSLR is bigger than yours” crowd determined to photograph everything — none of them with the manners to let other people take a turn. We were allowed to get off and stretch our legs at a couple of stations, including Arthurs Pass (below).

Once we arrived in Greymouth I put on my rucksack and trudged along to the Neptune’s International Backpackers. It’s a old hotel restored as a hostel, quite comfortable and with really good hot showers.

In the evening I joined a tour of the Monteiths brewery, along with lots of other people from the Magic bus and the Australians I’d met on the train (Cal, Claire and Simone). The brewery tour was good, with a tasting afterwards and the opportunity to pour our own beers while we waited for the minibus to take us for the included barbecue at a nearby pub.

The next morning I got up early to beat the rush for the shower, only to find that there wasn’t a rush. Eventually the others got up and the bus appeared outside to collect us. Driver Scotty provided music and occasional commentary as he drove us down to Franz Josef, with occasional stops along the way. My favourite was the Bushmans Center in Pukekura, with Bushman Pete explaining about his former work in capturing deer by leaping on them from helicopters and doing everything he could to upset vegetarians. I was feeling hungry so bought one of his (very tasty) possum pies.

Once we reached Franz Josef the bus dropped us at our hostels and people headed off for various activities — mostly glacier hikes. My budget doesn’t really allow for many organised activities and I’ve spent plenty of time wandering about on ice anyway. Instead I booked all the remaining accommodation for my time in New Zealand and then went for a walk around the foot of the glacier.

By the way, there are more pictures than I’ve included here. You can browse through the rest here.