Wellington to Queenstown

I know it's been a few days since I last updated so there is a lot to get through!

We caught the early morning ferry from Wellington to Picton. The ferry we were on had once been the Pride of Cherbourg (I know because you could still see the name on the side) and for those of you who don't know that name it was one of the cross-channel ferries. We managed to find a nice spot at the stern and watched the scenery pass behind us. We really can't understand those people who come all this way and then fly from one island to the other as they miss this amazing ferry trip. The scenery was truly spectacular as shown by the picture above. Again it was a glorious day so it was lovely on the ferry and a very smooth crossing.

Once in Picton we found the station was just a few minutes walk (luckily the bags got transferred for us as you had to check them in for the ferry!). We checked in and were told we had about an hour before the train was due so we went off to a nice little cafe for a spot of lunch.

The Transcoastal assigns everyone their seats. It was just three carriages and then an open viewing car. There was a very reasonable cafe on board from which we purchased a small bottle of Lindauer (fizzy wine made here in NZ), some small pancakes and a cream tea. All very nice.

During the journey we saw seals and penguins and more stunning scenery.




The train, as you can see, runs right next to the road. It took just over 5 1/2 hours in total to reach Christchurch where we were met by a luxury minibus - it only had 5 seats but they were the largest comfiest seats I have ever sat in in a vehicle.

We had a quick check round Christchurch and found the hotel we will be in when we return at the end of the holiday.

Next morning we were picked up by another driver in a rather swish car and taken back to the station for the Transalpine train to Greymouth. This train was longer so we think there were two viewing cars and two cafes as there was a generator car in the middle and at each stop we were warned if we got off to stretch our legs ensure we got back on the right part of the train!

On both trains there was a guard giving a running commentary as we passed points of interest and giving local history. We went through Arthur's Pass and saw snow still on the hills and then down to Greymouth. We arrived a bit late so quickly picked up the car, found the hotel and just as we reached our room we were told our guide for the afternoon tour had arrived.

We were taken on a three hour tour along the west coats to see the pancake rocks (so called because they look like stacks of pancakes because of the way the rock has formed) and to go through some of the national park. The guide told us all about the plants and rocks and it was fascinating as there were only 5 of us on the tour.



By the time we were dropped back at the hotel we were quite hungry and managed to find a lovely seafood restaurant our guide had pointed out. I had the biggest mussels you have ever seen. Mum had blue nose which is a lot like bass. We were in bed very early as we had had two very early mornings and an awful lot of travelling.



After a quick trip round the local supermarket (aren't foreign supermarkets fascinating??) we set off for Fox Glacier.

On the way we stopped at Hokitika which is the Greenstone capital of NZ. Greenstone was the name given by the Europeans when they saw Maoris wearing it, actually it is Jade. We managed to spend 2 1/2 hours in just a couple of shops!!!No surprises what Christmas presents will be this year folks! Honestly the different types of Jade are amazing - did you know it can be black, appear black but actually be translucent green when held up to a light, brown, gold, and even white? There was even a piece of Chrysanthemum(sp?) jade that was black with white flowers in it and you could see how it got it's name. The major problem was deciding which pieces not to buy. From the store we were in we even got to meet one of the men who had produced some of the pieces!

After we had no money left we set off again.

Once there we found we were in a lovely motel where the rooms were a little like apartments, complete with their own patio and a mountain view, well there would have been a view of Mount Cook in the distance if it hadn't been for the mist.

We headed up to the meeting place about 4 and were told we were a little early (we keep finding that different documents say different things!). So we had a wander round the few shops in Fox glacier and Mum bought me my Christmas/birthday present. It is a stunning painting which I will photograph probably when I get home as it is all packaged up currently. I know excess baggage, but it is quite light!

We changed into their boots and walking socks and headed for a walk that would never be allowed in Britain. We followed the path the glacier had once taken up through all the rocks, through the many streams and ended just a few metres from the terminal face. This is one of the few glaciers in the World that is currently growing and at a rate of 20 cm per day! Apparently up on the very top they get up to 50m of snow a year!!!! We got a certificate once we got back from the 2 1/2 walk. As we had a microwave in the room we grabbed a couple of microwave meals and desserts and headed back to the room.

Today is one of the first days since I left when I know what day of the week it is and that is because today in Sunday 16th November or Mum's 60th birthday and the reason for the trip. After opening cards and having some breakfast we set off on the long drive down to Queenstown.

Today we have seen waterfalls and such blue rivers (apparently something to do with the minerals in the rocks as to why so blue but they are also very clear). Now we have reached the hotel in Queenstown and the weather is slightly less blue skies than it has been up to now. We have a cake in the fridge in the room along with a bottle of Lindauer Fraise (hint of strawberry).

Now you are all up to date and that has taken me almost an hour. I'll add some more photos when I buy some mroe credit for the computers here. Think we also need washing powder! Not sure what we'll get up to tomorrow but NO a bungee is not on the cards! Love to all from Caro and Judy.