Train from Auckland to Wellington

We are starting a ten day trip in the North Island of New Zealand. The first day is  ride on the Northern Explorer. We decided to lash out and reserved seats in the luxury carriage where we will be served food and drink throughout the trip.

The platform. It was supposed to rain today but it looks fine.

The raised tablecloth makes it easier to slide into your seat.

Spiffy lighting.

The hot towel was very welcome.

It's not often you are served a cappuccino on a train.

Auckland has lots of inlets.

The menu for thee trip.

Oddly enough, Marianne was carrying a sign with the same words that you can see at the bottom of the page when we met in Spain back in 1974. I must have been the only person around who spoke English.

All the food was delicious but I really enjoyed this.

Breakfast with bubbly.

We saw lots of these cats tails.

Everything is super green.

Lunch with a glass of syrah.

Dessert.

There are lots of deep gorges with bridges or viaducts.

Afternoon tea. The camembert was so rich that I could only eat half. We are not used to eating so much rich food.

Tet another river.

Dinner with Pinot noir. The wines were very tasty.

Dessert. I managed to eat it all.

The train passes next to the coast at dusk. The South Island was visible.

There was enough rain on the windows to make taking photos difficult at times. With all the train travel I have done, I cannot think of a more spectacular journey.