Recently we took a trip on the 'Overlander' train from Otorohanga to Wellington. It's one of the things on our 'mid-life adventures' list. We enjoyed the ever changing views of the mountains while we ate our 'hand-made by Darling Man' free-range egg & parsley & avocado sammies AND 'hand-baked by moi' Louise Cake while we rumbled and clattered along. We bought a cup of tea on board. It was served in a pictorial paper cup - a far cry from the original Crockery Railways Cup -"... made by The Amalgamated Brick & Tile Company of Auckland. Originally established to produce sewer pipes and electrical porcelains, during WWII the company diversified to produce crockery for the American Navy stationed in this country. In 1943 another order for crockery came, this time from the NZ Railways."
Since we had our blue, pussy cat lunch tin, we didn't have to queue at the cafe at National Park OR pay over-inflated prices for food on board. Though the tea is no longer served in a 'Railways Cup' you can still buy the traditional 'great railway pie' for $4.50 & all manner of other 'Kiwi Kai' morsels at the on-board buffet car. 'Hunger for the Wild' TV presenters Al Brown & Steve Logan put together the menu of NZ favorites for the hungry train travelers.
From time to time, as the train meandered and lurched along, our knowledge of NZ was enhanced with a commentary, pointing out various historical places and interesting facts and info about the railway and its history. It is definitely an 'off the beaten track' travel experience. We were treated to views from viaducts, at times we plunged into long dark tunnels, caught sight of the front carriage as we looped around horse-shoe bends and experienced the spectacular engineering feat of the Raurimu Spiral. There is plenty to see out of the HUGE windows!
A great thing to do for sure. We recommend it!
AND since our lunch tin was empty for our trip home we treated ourselves to a 'great railway pie' and a few other 'Kiwi Kai' morsels from the on-board buffet car! Very tasty too!
Find out more about the Overlander HERE They are currently offering a special one-way fare of $49. You couldn't drive there for that price!
From time to time, as the train meandered and lurched along, our knowledge of NZ was enhanced with a commentary, pointing out various historical places and interesting facts and info about the railway and its history. It is definitely an 'off the beaten track' travel experience. We were treated to views from viaducts, at times we plunged into long dark tunnels, caught sight of the front carriage as we looped around horse-shoe bends and experienced the spectacular engineering feat of the Raurimu Spiral. There is plenty to see out of the HUGE windows!
A great thing to do for sure. We recommend it!
AND since our lunch tin was empty for our trip home we treated ourselves to a 'great railway pie' and a few other 'Kiwi Kai' morsels from the on-board buffet car! Very tasty too!
Find out more about the Overlander HERE They are currently offering a special one-way fare of $49. You couldn't drive there for that price!
What a COOL adventure! Will definetely put it on the list of things to do...I really admire you two getting out and about and making lil adventures happen while Dad is at home and recovering xSJ
ReplyDeleteI agree with SJ - these two were outside our property with chainsaw in hand recently(and it was raining) - no lamenting here -cL
ReplyDeleteThanks for that encouragement you two bloggers! Much appreciated... :-)
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