Today, we rode the Transalpine Explorer (train) from Christchurch to Graymouth and back. Christchurch is on the east coast of New Zealand and Graymouth is on the west coast.
Each way took a little over 4 hours, and we had an hour layover in Graymouth. The trip was an all-day event.
The railroad cars were built for sightseeing, with windows curving over the beginning of the top to give maximum unobstructed views of our surroundings. We rode through huge meadows of sheep and cattle, and we were able to observe how the managers of these livestock businesses rotated and irrigated the meadows. In the more rugged areas, we saw signs advertising "farm stays for backpackers." We saw trekking, tramping, hiking, walking, and biking trails. (On days when we drove to tour, we saw signs to remind us to "share the road," and, indeed, we did.)
We saw few horse farms.
Because I am disabled, the train attendants insisted we sit in the cafe car where they had a handicapped bathroom, wonderful leather seats with a table in front, and easy access to the cafe. The attendants checked on us often to see that we were doing OK and asked if they could do anything for us. The seats in the other car were like airline seats - close together, no table, etc.
The attendants also used a lift to give me easy access to and from the car so I didn't have to climb the big step (and possibly be shoved) to board.
We crossed Arthur's Pass
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/arthurs-pass/
and learned about braided rivers
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braided_river
The Cafe Car is made to accommodate two wheelchair passengers, and it has an audio output at each wheelchair station. Our table was very near the output, but because our seats weren't equipped for audio, the attendants didn't think to give us headphones. No worry! Once I figured out that the train was broadcasting a tour description via those outputs, I got out a pair of ear buds and hooked up an extender, which I just happened to have, and Lauren and I shared - one ear bud each! Worked great!
Graymouth was a gold rush town where miners flocked after the gold rush in the US northwest. The river that runs to the sea is the Gray River, so the name of the town is descriptive.
The name of the town was also descriptive of the day - gray, overcast.
We had to leave the train so it could be cleaned and readied for the return trip. We didn't have my chair with us, I sat on a boulder in front of a car lot while Lauren found us something to eat. Beef in New Zealand is delicious, and we had one of the best McDonald's quarter pounders we've ever had.
I slept about half the return trip, but each time I opened my eyes, I was treated with wonderful New Zealand scenery.
Back in Christchurch, we could see that it had been another beautiful-weather spring day. Our forecast before we left San Diego was that we might have one non-rain day. We have had some sprinkles, but we have had glorious sunny spring every day. I have used my jacket as a comfort pillow, and our rain parkas have not been out of the suitcase.
My only disappointment today was that I didn't get a glimpse of the Tasman Sea. That would have been an exciting checkoff on my bucket list.
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