Tranzapline Breakfast with 😍 views

The South Island of New Zealand really is just a non stop picture postcard. The journey started along the flat Canterbury plains as we leave Christchurch. Green paddocks, sheep and the distant snow capped mountains edging closer and closer.

I’m travelling in Scenic Plus, which offers all inclusive dining in a dedicated carriage. There is also a dedicated outdoor viewing carriage for use only by plus passengers. While we cruise along the plains breakfast is served. It’s a set menu and is nicely paced.

The starter of strawberry banana bread comes out with choice of hot drink (an oat hot chocolate for me). This is followed by a mixed berry compote with granola and yoghurt. The main dish is a hash with bacon and poached egg. The food is all really nice and hot drinks are topped up on request.

Between courses I dash to the outdoor carriage to snap pictures of the now mountainous scenery. As we climb through the mountains we travel through tunnels, bursting into even more stunning views as we exit. Crossing viaducts over clear rivers, the scenery is stunning. The breeze in the outdoor carriage is fresh but the views warm me up.

The app (download before) and wifi stream informative content to your phone to tell the story of the journey and places we pass. One (older) couple struggle with the app as they have forgotten their Apple password. The crew member spends a good 15mins with them helping them out, but without resetting their password they are stuck without the app.

A picture tells a 1000 words so I’ll let the pics tell the story. It’s just breathtakingly beautiful. Our half way stop at Arthur’s pass allows time to stretch the legs as they attach a couple more locomotives to the train for the steep section ahead. The next section will have lunch so we’re served a pre lunch drink (sparkling for me) before setting off on part 2 of the journey.Read more