Thankfully we were following a different route to the bus route we took on our way down the North Island.
From Wellington to north of Paraparaumu and on to North Palmerston, we followed the coast. It was a beautiful morning. Had summer arrived just as we are about to depart NZ?
The train then diverted inland and we crossed plains abounding with sheep and cattle.
It traversed numerous river valleys via spectacular viaducts.
And stopped at small stations to drop off passengers.
We reached the Mt Ruspehu National Park and in the distance we could just make out Mt Taranaki , a stratovolcano and one of the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world.
Mt Ruspehu , nearly half a million years old is the highest peak (2,797m) in the North Island and the only one with glaciers.
Nearby was Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe ( meaning in Maori 'throwing heated stones!!).
The high point was the Raumuri Spiral , built in 1898, a feat of engineering that allows trains to climb the 132 m height difference between the Whanganui River and the Volcanic Plateau. The train travels, making s complete circle, a 90 degree turn among others. It travels 6.8 km which is only 2 km in a straight line.
The journey continued past the Waitimo caves - limestone caves featuring NZ glow worms.
Eventually we cross the longest river in NZ running 425km to the sea.
It was a fantastic evening as we approached Auckland. As we entered the city well appointed , detached bungalows abounded. Our guide explained that the Kiwis, like the Irish, are in love with their home on a half acre plot. Apartment living is not popular. The homes are surrounded by manicured parks. We saw no evidence of anti social behaviour and this is possibly due to the ban on drinking in public - especially at festivals.
We arrived at Strand St. Station a half an hour early. Our airport shuttle awaited us and we were whisked off to the airport where we were instantly given our boarding cards flor the 2300 hrs fight to Guangzhou, to arrive 0530 Saturday, having lost 5 hours!
More tomorrow.....
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