TranzAlpine: Greymouth - Moana

TranzAlpine, July 24th 2015

Back on TranzAlpine again. The same revise route, but the opposite weather. Good weather = good pictures (to my own judgment) = endless shots. I can't imagine if there hadn't been a digital era. Anyway, I have to divide the pictures into several posts which I don't know yet how many posts they will take. We'll see.

The blue Grey River :D

Seriously, the name is "Grey". It was named by Thomas Brunner after a prominent New Zealand politician, Sir George Grey. Thomas Brunner himself has his "own lake". That's coming up.

Departing Grey River for awhile, we run through farmlands.

Hello again, Grey River.

I just love the reflection of that white cotton cloud on the river surface.

On the right is the viewing carriage.

Brunner Bridge

Okay, so the first European to visit Greymouth was Thomas Brunner. According to Wikipedia, Brunner discovered coal in the Grey valley, and several places in the region (notably the town of Brunner and Lake Brunner) bear his name. Remember the coal cart in front of Monteith's Brewery? The West Coast of New Zealand is everything about coal and gold. Brunner Mine, was one. And Brunner Bridge, was no doubt to support the work.

Brunner Mine is now a tourist destination which can be checked here.

Running on the left is State Highway.

 

Arnold River

Can you see the ducks swimming?

Lake Brunner, here we come.

Yet another tourist destination.

Ferns. The symbol of New Zealand.

In summer, with the sails opened, Lake Brunner would be double colorful.

 I can picture that, in mind.

Moana Train Station

Phew. What a hard time it had been.

I mean, a hard time selecting which pictures to post. :D

And yet, let alone to Christchurch, this is not even half way to Arthur's Pass!!