Wednesday, 7 Nov 2007: Christchurch - Greymouth - Fox Glaciers

Departed Christchurch early this morning, 8.15 am, on the Tranz Alpine Express. It offers a scenic train journey through the picturesque Southern Alps to Greymouth. We had 5 min stop at Springfield station, and then another 5 min stop at Arthurs Pass. Amazing view, although it's difficult to capture the view when the train is moving, especially with the reflection from the window glass.

We arrived at Greymouth station at 1.10pm, rushed to buy some sandwiches for lunch and then departed on Intercity Coach at 1.30pm. We stopped by the town of Hokitika for a while. As the kiasu spirit has been running deep in our blood, during that 50 min stop we managed to shop for some confectionery, took quite a number of photos, broke my sunglasses and thus a return trip to the supermarket to buy a tube of super glue, bought postcards at bookshop, dropped by the beach, went to the main street, went to the loo.. all these while munching away our sandwiches that were not allowed to be consumed on the coach.

And guess what, I found a row of indomie instant noodles on the supermarket shelf at Hokitika supermarket! They even have a new flavour which I didn't know exists.

We went pass Ross Town, Hari Hari Town and Franz Josef Glacier before arriving at Fox Glacier at 5.20pm. Bought take away dinner from a nearby cafe - chicken cordon bleu, lasagna, and potato wedges with sour cream. That was the first time I saw a fried lasagna. It looks similar to the cordon bleu, deep fried till crispy, and when bitten there's this pasta layers wrapping the minced beef with cheesy taste.. yum! good when eaten hot.

Noticed the unique church names here: Our Lady of the Alps and Our Lady of the Snow.