I have a list, quite a long list, of things I'd like to do right here in New Zealand. Tourist type things, places that you read about but, because they're right on your door step, never quite get done. Well, last week I managed to tick one of those experiences off my list.
New Zealand is a small country, just over 4 million people. It sometimes seems we're quite isolated here, down under, close to the bottom of the world. Consequently the rest of the world seems more attractive than our own backyard when we holiday.
I grew up in, and now once again live in Palmerston North, less than two hours drive from the capital city, Wellington. My city is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway Line. There was a time, as a teenager when I had more time than money, that I travelled by train. But rail travel is no longer attractive. It is quicker to fly or go by car.
However, growing up as I did right beside the railway track, I've always had a fascination for trains. Last week I decided the time had come to make a train trip I'd been thinking about for a long time. I flew to Auckland, spent a day and night there, then early next morning boarded the Overlander train, a scenic North Island journey, for the long trip south.
Long it was, taking 10 hours to reach Palmerston North. But it was well worth the effort. I saw scenery and places I'd only heard about or read about before. I saw mountains and viaducts, small towns and rivers. I learnt about the history of my country from the hostess on the train. I crossed the rebuilt Tangiwai bridge that was once swept away in a lahar, causing about 150 deaths and being NZ's biggest rail disaster back then in 1953.
I learnt about the Maori Queen and some of the Maori history of the King Country and the Kingite movement.
As well as all that, I relaxed, enjoying the sights and talking to the passenger next to me, and getting to know her children. It was compulsory time out, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, except enjoy the ride.
The day did stretch a little too long towards the end, I'm not all that good at sitting still doing nothing. But once we entered familiar, close to home territory, I knew we were nearly at my destination. My enjoyment returned, as I mentally ticked off familiar landmarks.
As a quick way of getting to know the scenery and history of New Zealand, I can recommend riding the Overlander train. I was pleasantly surprised.
New Zealand is a small country, just over 4 million people. It sometimes seems we're quite isolated here, down under, close to the bottom of the world. Consequently the rest of the world seems more attractive than our own backyard when we holiday.
I grew up in, and now once again live in Palmerston North, less than two hours drive from the capital city, Wellington. My city is on the North Island Main Trunk Railway Line. There was a time, as a teenager when I had more time than money, that I travelled by train. But rail travel is no longer attractive. It is quicker to fly or go by car.
However, growing up as I did right beside the railway track, I've always had a fascination for trains. Last week I decided the time had come to make a train trip I'd been thinking about for a long time. I flew to Auckland, spent a day and night there, then early next morning boarded the Overlander train, a scenic North Island journey, for the long trip south.
Long it was, taking 10 hours to reach Palmerston North. But it was well worth the effort. I saw scenery and places I'd only heard about or read about before. I saw mountains and viaducts, small towns and rivers. I learnt about the history of my country from the hostess on the train. I crossed the rebuilt Tangiwai bridge that was once swept away in a lahar, causing about 150 deaths and being NZ's biggest rail disaster back then in 1953.
I learnt about the Maori Queen and some of the Maori history of the King Country and the Kingite movement.
As well as all that, I relaxed, enjoying the sights and talking to the passenger next to me, and getting to know her children. It was compulsory time out, with nowhere to go and nothing to do, except enjoy the ride.
The day did stretch a little too long towards the end, I'm not all that good at sitting still doing nothing. But once we entered familiar, close to home territory, I knew we were nearly at my destination. My enjoyment returned, as I mentally ticked off familiar landmarks.
As a quick way of getting to know the scenery and history of New Zealand, I can recommend riding the Overlander train. I was pleasantly surprised.
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