Back to Christchurch

From Hokitika we drove up the coast toward Greymouth.  We turned off to visit a jade workshop where we were able to chat to the Maori who finds the greenstone and works it into jewellery and ornaments.  He was able to explain the importance to the Maori of the stone and the meaning of the shapes carved.

The mine train at Shantytown

From there we went to a place called Shantytown - a reconstruction of an 1860's township which included some original buildings that had been moved there.  It was more museum than themepark and quite interesting.  Then on to Greymouth to the station and the TranzAlpine railway.  The train crosses the Southern Alps and runs some 250 km to Christchurch.

The TranzAlpine

The scenery along the route is quite stunning and using the train meant that both of us could enjoy the journey rather than have a driver having to watch the road.  We are back at our first B&B and were welcomed with a glass of their pinot noir (oh what a shame!).