The Trans Scenic Overlander – Wellington to Aukland cross country by train
From our lovely house on the west coast, we drove several hours to the north of the south island to catch a ferry to Wellington. Luckily we arrived in time to board an earlier ferry and avoided a 3 hour wait for the one we were scheduled to take. The ferry journey was cold and blowy with hints of sunshine every now and again. We passed in between several islands and bits of peninsula between the north and south islands and we were soon in Wellington. It’s the capital of NZ! Although about 75% of the whole population of both islands live in Aukland. It certainly seemed a more attractive place than Christchurch but we did little more than visit a cool bar and eat and drink. The bar we went to was called the Macs and was a brewery as well as a bar and restaurant. They had smart T shirts and we bought Rose one as a goodbye present – it says ‘a little drop of Macs’ on it, and the bar man gave us one free too!
Here are some views from the ferry:
This morning we had a very early start to catch the 7.20 am train the length and breadth of the north island from Wellington at the southern most tip to Aukland. I am writing this on the train but am not sure when I will be able to post it. The southern hemisphere has been dreadful in terms of internet availability, so expensive when it is available, or not available at all – as in the last seaside house. Anyhow this journey is twelve hours long but TJ is well pleased as they make smoking stops! We also stopped for lunch – an odd notion but sensible for a tourist train I guess. I was a little panicked at the thought we might miss it as they train guard was at great pains to say they would not be going back for anyone they missed! It has huge windows, lots of leg room and a viewing platform. This I am sure would not be allowed in England. It comprises the gap between two carriages where you can stand outside and be blown and rattled away.
Another strange observation about NZ is their love of pies! Everywhere you go there are pies of all descriptions but predominantly meat. I think they look and smell absolutely, gut wrenchingly disgusting, but nearly everyone eats them – all the time! The train is full of people eating them!
Rory and I are having fun perfecting our NZ accents. Vowel sounds seem all mixed up. E is pronounced as I, so tent is pronounced tint, yes as yis etc. I sounds like U so chips, sound like chups. It is pretty different from Australian after all…..
Before I sign off here it would be remiss not to mention the scenery! Very rounded hills, with lots of trees, quite densely forested. Some of the hills have definite similarities to where the hobbits lived – or teletubbies? Yesterday we passed acre upon acre of vineyards. Today it is more sheep country, with high passes and roaring, winding rivers. We have passed one or two viaducts and bridges and several horseshoe loops, but enough of the train facts eh?
Going to watch some scenery now…..
