November 18: Bus Ride - Picton to Christchurch

 Although we spent 6 hours on a bus today, it was a picturesque ride: passing by vineyards and farmlands and meandering along the east coast of the island through the coastal town of Kaikura (infamous as the epicenter of New Zealand’s 2016 earthquake which devastated Christchurch and surrounding areas). From what we’ve seen so far, New Zealand has rebuilt impressively.

It’s a bright sunny day in Christchurch, but the wind has a chill to it, so we’ve been bundling up when venturing outside. Looks like we should have good weather for our train ride over New Zealand’s Southern Alps tomorrow on our way to Greymouth on the west coast of the island. 

View of the Pacific Ocean from the bus





Kaikura river with snow-capped
mountains in background

Another view of New Zealand’s coastline







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