New Zealand Blog March 30th, 2016
March 31, 2016 at 5:28 AM
TranzAlpine Rail Christchurch to Greymouth
The group was up early this morning as we had to be a the train station for an 8:30 a.m. departure on the TranzAlpine train. We had made advance arrangements to have seating next to the outdoor observation car which mad for great photography as we traveled from the east coast of the south island to the the west coast. Weather was a little cool and cloudy at the beginning but as we passed over the alpine range it turned into blue skies. Lakes, canyons, mountain ridges and valleys were the cross section of scenery during the 4 1/2 hour rail trip. It was a great experience.
Once we reached Greymouth we had a late lunch, boarded our waiting motor coach and enjoyed the 2 hour drive down the coast to Franz Joseph. We stopped along the shore for some more photography and a few photographers were too close when a big wave hit the rocks. All part of the fun. Late in the afternoon we arrived in Franz Joseph.
We were treated to a very nice upgrade at Franz Joseph as our original hotel had flood damage from a heavy rain storm last week. Tomorrow a journey through the mountains as we travel to Queenstown. Enjoy todays photos from our rail journey.
This first image is a map of the places we’ve covered so far here in New Zealand. The areas in Red are the locations we’ve visited the areas in blue are places to come.
Getting settled in on the train this morning.
Meg and Gail in the outdoor observation car, this was great for photography.
Gail, Alexa and Meg, in the observation car.
Great big windows too made it great for photos, this is a gal we met from Melbourne, and a gentleman touring from Belgium.
One of the many canyons we passed over.
Looking back from the outdoor observation car.
Another view from the observation car.
Gail taking a few shots.
As we approached one of the many small train stations along the route.
Everywhere you turned there was a photo.
Looking back at one of the many rivers the train route followed.
The train traveled slow enough to capture some great shots.
The landscape changed at every corner.
Some places low clouds added to the shot.
You can the size of the riverbed, imagine the water that comes through here.
A welcoming couple at one of the train stops.
A look back into a small mountain village.
Don taking some video from the observation deck.
More scenery.
The clouds hugging the mountain tops, just beautiful.
Looking forward from the outdoor observation car.
More blue rivers.
River reflections.
Many interesting this to photograph, we were standing for most of the journey.
When we left Greymouth we started our drive along the coast.
Ron taking a few shots of the shoreline, watch out for the waves.
One more shot of the beautiful shoreline.
That’s a wrap for todays photos, more tomorrow as we photograph the glacial lakes and Lake Matheson as we drive to Queenstown. We will be in that region for the next three nights. Good night from all the Trekkers photographing and enjoying New Zealand.