The Swanson's New Zealand Trip

Christchurch: 15-16 & 21-22 May

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island. It is where our interisland flight from Auckland landed and was the start of our ten days on the South Island.

Our flight was met by a representative of AtoB Limosine Service, who took us from the airport to our hotel, the Quality Hotel Autolodge. There we "settled in" (i.e., threw our stuff on the bed...) & then went exploring. First off was a trip to the chemist (drugstore in the States) to pick up "essentials". Then dinner in a very nice Thai restaurant a short walk from the hotel. The weather was currently clear, but had turned decidely chilly.

The next morning we were transported from the hotel to the train station where we boarded the TranZ Alpine Express for the trip across the Canterbury Plains, through the Waimakariri Valley, then up to Arthur's Pass and finally into Greymouth for the start of our South Island West Coast adventure.

The "thumbnails" following this narrative are a select subset of our Christchurch images. They may be "enlarged" by clicking on them with your mouse pointer. Enjoy!

Bob "shoots" some tourists...	...and they reciprocated	The Canterbury Plains	R & S aboard the TranZ Alpine Express	Springfield Station: Crawford Mountain Range in the background
	Starting into the foothills	One of the many trestles we crossed	Arthur's Pass Station stop

Back to Auckland l Continue to South Island West Coast

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