Where would the locals liken crossing Alps to 'going over the hill'?

Friar Tuck

Where else could it be? http://www2.gol.com/users/oxbow/nz/6-hokitika.htm Arthur's Pass is the highest of the Southern Alps passes, the quickest way from Westland to Christchurch, and moreover, the only road crossing north of the Haast Pass, hundreds of kilometres to the south. It is also a spectacular trip, although as the driver, I had precious little inclination to view the scenery. We heard West Coast people refer to the trip to Christchurch as 'going over the hill'. This turned out to be extremely euphemistic, and we weren't prepared for the steep, twisting road, sheer drops and corkscrew bends near the summit of the pass. A lurching minibus full of children in front and a maniac speed freak behind didn't help matters! This was the first route to be opened up over the Alps to the West Coast, constructed in under a year during the heady days of gold fever in the 1860's. It was immediately heavily used by coaches, many of which literally 'raced' from Christchurch to the West Coast gold fields, covering the distance in around 36 hours. It must have been a terrifying journey, no less for the poor horses than for the passengers. However, the area has real scenic grandeur, with deep glacier-carved river gorges below, and snowy peaks above May 08 03, 7:42 AM

KIWI IN OZ

Well done friar tuck. I lived on the coast for 20 years and every day gave thanks for living in such a spectacular place. The drive over the hill is still pretty hair raising, well at least the last time I was there . They have actually built a viaduct now to cut out the notorious zig zag that was always moving and slipping. The train trip is the best way to view the scenery throughthe mountains except the trains go under the pass in an 11km tunnel but the mountains between arthurs pass and canterbury plains are fabulous. I am getting homesick now. May 08 03, 7:54 AM

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