Arthurs Pass

Over the past couple of weeks we have enjoyed thermal pools in Hanmer Springs and long beach walks at Pegasus Bay with a final five day stop in Arthurs Pass, from our perspective quintessential south island NZ.  We arrived here via the Trans Alpine Train, which in and of itself was scenic pleasure.  This spot is a tiny little alpine village set in a mountain pass with great and challenging hikes right out your back door.  Of course this little stop for us is also pure luxury as we dropped off the “blue bomb” and are staying in a great little cottage with a real bed, a kitchen and a log burning stove …. LOVELY.  The hiking here is straight up and back down again(the picture of me at the top of what looks like a pile of rock is actually the “considerably less steep” trail that we opted to hike) but the rewarding views are well worth the price of the climb.