Greymouth - A Ghost Town....
Rain on the horizon looking towards the Kiwi Alpes westward from here. Said to be the most scenic of New Zealand's south, today's scenery from the 4 hour bus ride could be obscured in mist and mizzel. Another hike through the Red-Zone to the bus station intime for the 2.30pm West Coast Shuttle. Actually, plenty of time to kill and as it happens there is a coffee stand right outside the library - killing time then with the use of free wifi from the library and some expensive New Zealand hand crafted takeaway coffee, looking out for the distinctive black bus, it could be early.
A pick-up at the airport before beginning the journey over towards the Kiwi Aples. Spits and spots of rain, although still pretty good visibility at the moment as the mountainous shadows take a more definitive position on the horizon.
About an hour and hills become mountains as the slow climb in altitude begins. Despite the misty conditions and gloomy light there are still some decent photos to take. Signs for ski resorts, not far off from the winter season I guess, holiday lodges and scenic points all signposted along the highway and towards Arthur's Pass.
Arthur's Pass is a collection of holiday cabins and a backpackers hostel in the midst of the mountains, but today shrouded in mist and rain. Biking, hiking and fishing being major pursuits around here looks like. From now on though, its down hill to Greymouth, hopefully leaving the clouds and on into warmer air.
Exactly 4 hours and the bus rolls in Greymouth - a ghost town at 7.00pm. No people, no traffic, shops closed and eerily quiet. The Duke Hostel, first left and on the right, its a five minute hike and looking out for a purple building. Yes, that's it and I get an upgraded room too - nice! Free soup on the go, all I need now is a supermarket for some essential supplies, the local Countdown is 10 minutes hike, following the railway line.
Rain on the horizon looking towards the Kiwi Alpes westward from here. Said to be the most scenic of New Zealand's south, today's scenery from the 4 hour bus ride could be obscured in mist and mizzel. Another hike through the Red-Zone to the bus station intime for the 2.30pm West Coast Shuttle. Actually, plenty of time to kill and as it happens there is a coffee stand right outside the library - killing time then with the use of free wifi from the library and some expensive New Zealand hand crafted takeaway coffee, looking out for the distinctive black bus, it could be early.
A pick-up at the airport before beginning the journey over towards the Kiwi Aples. Spits and spots of rain, although still pretty good visibility at the moment as the mountainous shadows take a more definitive position on the horizon.
About an hour and hills become mountains as the slow climb in altitude begins. Despite the misty conditions and gloomy light there are still some decent photos to take. Signs for ski resorts, not far off from the winter season I guess, holiday lodges and scenic points all signposted along the highway and towards Arthur's Pass.
Arthur's Pass is a collection of holiday cabins and a backpackers hostel in the midst of the mountains, but today shrouded in mist and rain. Biking, hiking and fishing being major pursuits around here looks like. From now on though, its down hill to Greymouth, hopefully leaving the clouds and on into warmer air.
Exactly 4 hours and the bus rolls in Greymouth - a ghost town at 7.00pm. No people, no traffic, shops closed and eerily quiet. The Duke Hostel, first left and on the right, its a five minute hike and looking out for a purple building. Yes, that's it and I get an upgraded room too - nice! Free soup on the go, all I need now is a supermarket for some essential supplies, the local Countdown is 10 minutes hike, following the railway line.
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