When you talk to people about New Zealand they're always enthused about the south island. Well I'm a contrarian kind of guy and was pretty skeptical. In fact, travel along the eastern coast -- highlighted by a train right from the ferry station at Picton to Christchurch was pleasant (lots of rolling hills, endless plains with grazing sheep and periodic ocean views as the train periodically joined the coast -- was just ok. And Christchurch was just plain gritty.
But take the train that crosses the Alpine Alps and you'll have an entirely different, exhilarating experience. Both the trip through Arthur's pass and then up the western coastline (by bus) from Greymouth are breathtaking. The absolute highlight was at Punakaki, (www.punakaiki.co.nz) an exquisite site where tectonic events have created a large expanse of intriguing "pancake" rocks that intersect with nature as these enormous rocks and the Tasman sea come together.
http://www.travelplanner.co.nz/maps/index.cfm?incl=22
A few more days in Nelson with a harbourside room and a fabulous meal at a very fine restaurant were the crowning events of the New Zealand trip. Well.. and one more thing. I almost missed my flight to Australia from New Zealand. Even an experienced traveler can make mistakes. Who knew that the international terminal in Auckland was a 20 minute walk from the domestic terminal. I was just looking for signs for the lounge. Long story short, I hustled myself with a bit of sweat on my brown and made it with enough time to spare for a very comfortable 3 hour journey to Sydney.
Next up... Sydney.
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