Whales, trains and earthquakes

Christchurch got better the more we got to know it. On the last evening, we saw a band in a bar who specialised in Sea Shanties. They were promoting their new album, Now that's what I call sea shanties volume 2: good fun!

Looking down on Lyttleton harbour and Banks Peninsula from the cable car summit

On Saturday morning, we took a ride in the cable car overlooking Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula, then drove up the coast to Kaikoura, which is known as the best spot for whale watching, due to the very deep waters just off the coast there. Saw four whales (maybe 2 plus one twice), as well as a shark, penguins and numerous albatross (es)

Drove back to Christchurch on Sunday pm, via a winery called Mt Beautiful. Very nice white wines, and a Pinot Noir which, judging by its price, was probably a bit too nice for us to appreciate.

Back in Christchurch at around 4, we were told there had been a significant earthquake, with part of the cliffs collapsing into the sea. Fortunately nobody hurt. There were a few aftershocks in the night, but not significant enough to wake us.

Today, Monday, we have been on the Tranzalpine train across to the west coast at Greymouth. It was billed as one of the great train rides in the world (better than Cheddleton to Froghall), and did not disappoint.

Stranger on a train

Greymouth gets bad reports from the locals (always raining, nothing to see or do, etc etc) but we are really enjoying it. It is a gold mining/coal mining/fishing port, and has a dramatic harbour looking out to the Tasman Sea.

Sculpture in Greymouth, reflecting the town's mining tradition