Arthur's Pass

I'm sitting here at our lodge on a sheep farm, looking out at the massive mountains in the Southern Alps. We arrived here yesterday on the Trans Alpine Train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, a stop halfway across the country. That's the Arthur's pass train station.

We immediately set out for a hike across the farm, past the sheep, over a dry river bed and on up, the mountains all around. You don't ever tire of the fantastic scenery everywhere.

Before dinner we went to the working farm to see the dogs work the sheep and to watch our host shear a ewe. Dave even gave it a try! This farm raises sheep for merino wool garments, particularly a brand called Icebreaker, a line of high tek clothing.

Today we went on another series of hikes through the Pass with stops at some spectacularly beautiful locations. We were often visited by Kea Parrots looking for food, a practice not welcome as it makes them dependent on people. That's a Kea sitting on the roof of the tiny Arthur's Pass post Office.