Trans Alpine - across Arthurs Pass into Christchurch

We board the train at Greymouth, leaving our car behind. Feels a bit too much like reality as we are heading into the city and the last few days in New Zealand! This journey is classed as one of the great train journeys of the world. Although there is very dramatic scenery it must be amazing in the winter or spring when the rivers and gorges are full of water and snow on the ground. We pass through about 16 tunnels on the way, Ian & I spend most of the time on the open air observation platform which is very windy when traveling at high speed. Hope to have got some good video footage though. Arrive in Christchurch which is much cooler than we are used to and bad weather is on the way. We have an apartment here for 3 nights which makes a good base as have loads of room to sort ourselves out.