Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand - Saturday, February 1st

I have been looking forward to today.  We took a ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway which is considered one of the great scenic training journeys in the world.  The train was made up of refurbished older-style wooden cars which clickity clack as they moved over the rails.  The cars were decorated in the Victorian style and were quite plush and comfortable.  Since our cruise ship had chartered the entire train, the town assigned two volunteers to each each car to answer any questions we might have during the trip and to serve refreshments along the way (yep, you guessed it, more wine!!!!).  By this point in the trip Bob and I have given up any hope of waiting until after 5:00p.m. before we have alcohol.  Now it's only 11:45a.m. and we're already joining in and having a glass of wine with everyone else!!

As we rode along we began our steep ascent into the mountains.  We had the most gorgeous views of steep rugged valleys and magnificent rivers running through the valley floor.  Our guide told us that access to this gorge and river is so difficult that the numerous trout that live here usually die of old age!!  The views were absolutely spectacular. Sometimes it looked like we were in the Grand Canyon and other times it looked like Yosemite.  We could look across to the mountain on the other side of the river and see what must have been hundreds of small caves tucked inside the steep side of the rock.  Every time our train rounded another corner there were more magnificent views.

I did notice that as we climbed the landscape became very barren, with only a bit of brush wedged between the rock.  At one point I looked up and saw one lonely conifer tree on the very top of the mountain, as if it were saying "I KNEW I could".  Just such a peculiar sight when everywhere else was clear of any trees or bushes. As we moved along the tracks, still ascending the steep terrain our guide continued to tell us about a beautiful hotel just up ahead.  She told us that many travelers have used it as a rest stop and found it to be quite an oasis.  She said we had enough time to make a stop there for about 15 minutes.  I was thrilled because it was a chance to get off the train, soak up the beautiful mountain air and enjoy the comforts of a beautiful mountain resort for a few minutes.  As we rolled up to the  "hotel" I spotted a small pink building, probably about 1012 feet, with a rough hand printed sign over the door which said "Reef Hotel".   Joke was definitely on me!!! We did have a chance to get off the train for a couple of minutes and enjoy walking around a bit.  A few local women had set up tables with their "handmade" wares to sell to us.  However, the merchandise had the distinct look of items imported straight from the souvenir shops in Hong Kong.

I have two stories to share before I end this segment of the blog.  First, our entire train trip lasted about 7-1/2 to 8 hours.  All of the passengers were guests aboard our ship.  When we first got on the train the guides told us that if we wanted to take some great pictures there was a small outside platform between a couple of the cars.  The platform could accommodate only about 4-6 people at once but we figured we could alternate spots so everyone could have an opportunity to get some good shots.  One of the men on our tour immediately headed for the platform and stationed himself there before the engine had even started.  We figured this man must weigh close to 400 pounds, so no one else could fit beside him to take pictures.  Unbelievably, this man stood straight up in that same location, without moving an inch, for the entire 8 hour ride!  Other people, including Bob, went out there occasionally to ask him if he could step aside for just a brief moment so they could snap a photo but he wouldn't budge!!!! People all over the train were grumbling, but Bob and I just laughed because we were amazed that a fellow that large could stand for so many hours without moving a muscle!!!  The view must have been extremely important to him.  Even when the train stopped for a few minutes he wouldn't leave his perch for an instant for fear that someone else might take his place.  We had a great trip anyway and Bob still managed to get some great photos from inside the car and at those times when we stopped and got off the train.  I imagine that fellow was quite sore the next morning from all that standing!!!

Finally, just before we finished our ride the train stopped suddenly.  It seemed that there was lots of police activity on the tracks ahead.  We were told to remain on the train.  Our guide did some investigating and told us there was a "caa" on the tracks.  Well, we thought she said "cow"  So, we waited about 10 minutes and she said that actually it was a "car" on the tracks.  Well, that made sense because it had been about 15 minutes and we couldn't imagine that it would take that long to get a cow off of the tracks.  By now we were running late and our ship was scheduled to sail within the next few minutes.  A few more minutes passed and someone else said it was actually a "cat" on the tracks!! Now, this sounded rather peculiar because it seems as though SOMEONE would have the capability to remove a cat from the tracks.  We continued to wait (it was a very good thing that they had served wine to all of us :).  Finally, the train began to move and we arrived at our stop.  When we got off the train we learned the truth...duh, duh, duh, daaaa....it was a COW!!! Now, why it took so long to get a cow off the track I have no idea, but at least the ship didn't sail without us.  Of course, there could be worse things than being stranded in beautiful New Zealand!!!!

Well folks, that's the end of the posts from New Zealand.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here.  The country is absolutely beautiful and the people are so warm and welcoming.  We had made lots of lasting memories and hopefully will return someday.  Now, it's time to hit the sea and head for Australia.