Last we posted we were aboard the ferry on our journey across the Cook’s Strait from North Island to Picton on the South Island. First stop after driving off the ferry was lunch at a winery, but of course.
Then down a road that until December had been closed for over a year due to damage from a severe earthquake. Alex’s first drive down the road since the earth moved. In places the shoreline has shifted and risen so much that the route had to be carved anew and some harbors had to be dredged before boats could return. The town in which we were staying, Kaikoura, was isolated for months as all the roads into the town were damaged by earthquake or rockslides caused by the earthquake and aftershocks. It is a tourist based economy, so they are glad to have the roads open and folks able to fill their hotels, restaurants and attractions. The major attraction for us is the whales. Less of a population than Maui, but a bit of variety. Sperm whales, Humpbacks, Blue Whales and Orca in addition to seals and dolphins.
Once we got an early morning fill of sea based wildlife, we hopped in the car for a drive from Kaikoura to Christchurch. The largest city on the South Island. Alex’s home town. Severely damaged from earthquakes the city is in the midst of a rebuild and is quite impressive. Beautiful parks and museums. The downtown area around our hotel was thriving again, the city was hosting an annual Busker’s Festival consisting of performances in any available venue around town. Parks, churches, museums.
Early morning Sunday we were driven to the Christchurch train station to catch the Trans Alpine Train for a three hour train trip across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. Alex meets us there with the car, he has driven the route in less time than the train takes. What a gorgeous ride! Sheep & cattle grazing in alpine meadows, waterfalls coming down dramatic rock strewn mountain sides.
Five minutes from the train station in Arthur’s Pass was a gigantic waterfall. Alex led us up a good half hour hike on easy trails, that gave way to a massive number of stairs up a steep incline to a magical view. Worth the oxygen deficit, yes most definitely. But the day’s walks had just begun. After lunch we headed north for a bit to Punakaiki for a view of Blow Holes and stacked pancake rocks.
Then a bit of a drive through dairy farm country to Hokitika Gorge. An easy trail to a swinging bridge over water an incredible shade of blue. With young tourists diving from the rocks.
After a day that started with a 7:30 am check in at the Christchurch train station, we checked into our Rainforest enveloped hotel in Franz Josef at around 8:30 pm, and then a 5 course dinner with a nice glass of wine, like we say, tough duty but someone has to do it!