As a New Zealander, I’ve never been on a train in this country, I have to say, after watching this it’s now on my bucket list. The best bit? I had no idea we even had a first class service
My favorite part of these videos is seeing Mike interact with strangers, because I realize it's not just me it really is a Canadian thing we like people
I've been following DownieLive for the past three years, and I have to say, you're absolutely amazing! The experiences you share are incredible, and the positivity and breathtaking scenery you showcase are truly inspiring. Thank you for bringing such uplifting vibes to your audience!
I got connected to your channel when you were doing train journey from east coast of Canada to its west coast some years ago... fantabulous and this vlog i thoroughly enjoyed ...many thanks for sharing 🫶🫶🫶🫶🙌🙌🙌🙌 also enjoyed your travel around the world in first class
@@DownieLive You inspire me to travel solo and stay happy. I never traveled alone before, but after following you, I’ve started my own solo adventures. Your positivity and energy are amazing, and I hope to reflect the same. Thank you for inspiring me!
One of my earliest memories is being stuck in snow in on the cental plateau on the old Silver Star overnight train between Wellington and Auckland. They had to dig us out in the middle of the night. My memory is of looking out the window and seeing the rail workers walking along side the train with lanterns checking for snow and damage. My 4 year old self thought that this must be where Santa lived.
Also Downie, if you’re in NZ still consider booking yourself a ticket along Steam Inc’s Whanganui Vintage Weekend steam trips aboard Ja 1271 and DC 4818
The views that you have from that train remind me of my first trip to Switzerland. So much greenery and blue skies, and then suddenly, I see Lake Geneva for the very first time, and it’s flanked by mountains. And then you take another turn, and it’s snow capped Alps…and it’s just stunning. I’ve been to New Zealand before but while working for a cruiseline. We did several ports and they were all amazing. I may have to go back and do a train trip.
New Zealand was already at the top of my bucket list (as soon as I renew my passport) but this train must be added! Thank you for sharing this amazing journey!
I'm glad you finally made it to the trains in NZ! But please tell me you didn't skip the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth?! The views on that train easily blow these other two routes away, even though like you said, these are two of the prettiest trains in the world. I've ridden all 3 scenic trains in NZ and gone back to the CoastalPacific and TranzAlpine in different seasons to see the green view vs. the snowy view. I recommend everyone start in Auckland and end in Greymouth, so you'll build up from the least to best views. I also think going in late spring is probably prettiest because the snow is still on the mountains but the valleys are bright green and flowering.
Best part of the Christchurch to Greymouth train is passing through the longest tunnel for 15 min. Though it feels like night journey it feels amazing to think how did they built the tunnel that long and how many years it took. Also it feels amazing to pass through multiple small tunnels. It’s like playing with bed lamp switch 😂. I don’t know it makes sense to people who have not been in that train. 😂
New Zealand is such an amazing place-its nature, mountains, trains, and people are all incredibly beautiful and welcoming. I wish I could visit New Zealand someday, but it feels so difficult. Still, my heart longs to go there. Unfortunately, getting a visa is not in our hands. Wow, what a beautiful country, and the Kiwis are truly wonderful!
New Zealand is an entirely Narrow Gauge Network, which means tighter curves through mountain passes but still surprisingly a smooth ride. I came to New Zealand from Canada in 2011 and never left, beautiful country ❤
I wish I had never left in 1990. It is the only place I have ever wanted to "runaway" to--even if it meant I could not return to the US. I know the US has its many faults, but it is my home, and having visited about 40 other countries, New Zealand is the only place I have been that I thought would be worth giving up my home. People, culture, scenery!
@@WestCoastWheelman THey are compared to the ones you have in North America. But did you know that Japan (with its high speed rail network) operates on the same sized gauge as NZ.
@@IntelDesignS59 Their high speed rail network actually doesn't, it's seperate and a broader gauge because high speed on tracks that narrow isn't safe. Mind you, they have a Lot of non-highspeed rail, and yes, that does use narrow gauge.
Welcome Mike! So glad you've come! I've watched your rail journeys for years and its so nice to see you enjoying rail in NZ (And beautiful job on pronunciation of place names too). Thanks for making the journey to come all the way to NZ - it's wonderful to have you here!
New Zealand is such an amazing place-its nature, mountains, trains, and people are all incredibly beautiful and welcoming. I wish I could visit New Zealand someday, but it feels so difficult. Still, my heart longs to go there. Unfortunately, getting a visa is not in our hands. Wow, what a beautiful country, and the Kiwis are truly wonderful!
This is so freaking cool!! I think of all the trains you’ve done, this one is on the top of my list to try and do one day. And that’s a hard list to top! Thanks for always sharing these unreal experiences that so many of us won’t get to experience ❤ you always have a way to capture the energy and excitement of everywhere you go - even if it’s to the tiniest, most random towns. Your positivity and outlook for life are really inspiring! So thank you
I live in Taupō. On a Sunny day, you can see clear across to the other side of Lake Taupō and get a stunning view of Ruapehu, the volcano seen here, as well as Ngarahoe and Tongariro (her shorter sisters). Unfortunately Taupō has no rail connection, so you'd have to drive. But that gives you an opportunity to take Desert Road which gets much closer than you would by train.
Great to see you finally made it to NZ. I hope you come back and do the Tranz-Alpine some time soon. A number of people say that is even better than the Coastal Pacific. If you do come back spend some time on the west coast and do some of the many adventure activities over there. I managed to also watch your Forgotten Adventure in to Middle Earth - well - the middle of nowhere. Loved it. We have a few of those adventures over here. The ones I know are in Dargaville and in Mamaku (near Rotorua). Mamaku is my favourite as it looks down on Lake Rotorua. Many thanks for your entertaining videos. I hope you managed to have some quality family time back in Canada for Christmas (ps - loved the poem) and I look forward to your 2025 adventures. 🙂
Did a Trans-Alpine ride from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. It's incredibly beautiful. Biggest regret of my 17 day NZ adventure was not having enough time to do the South Island west coast. Just a gorgeous country, great people. Can't wait to get back someday.
Just watched your first video, and it’s amazing to see how your journey began! The New Zealand train trip was breathtaking. I’m from Bangladesh🇧🇩 and really enjoy your adventures. Keep up the great work!
I watch so many travel videos and seeing you at the thistle inn by my house is so surreal knowing I would’ve been so close to where you were filming! So amazing seeing NZ through tourists eyes and how pretty our country is!!
I really love your videos! Discovered your channel during a very stressful time in my life and will forever be a viewer, thank you for quality content!!!!
Thanks for visiting my country guys, i hope you guys enjoyed your time here! That train ride looks amazing, we've decided to buy tickets after watching this, cheers guys, all the best
As someone who can't afford to travel it's so nice to be able to see things through your videos. I've watched probably all of them lol. Jealous of the travels but thankful for the videos lol :D hope 2025 is full of super awesome adventures for you!
I did this rail trip in reverse in 1990. The trains are different, but the beauty is all the same. Kaikoura on the South Island is a favorite memory. 🤩
Mike and Seb, what an amazing journey you’ve captured! 🚂✨Our famous toilet door was really feeling the love in this one! I hope we will see you onboard again soon for 2nd breakfast 😉
OMG what a trip! That was THE perfect vlog and an amazing trip - what huge fun! Stunning views, puns a plenty and slapstick into the bargain! The ONLY thing i'd have to have given a wide berth to was the jazz - to me is like nails on a blackboard - excruciating - cannot stand it! haha! My problem I know. Happy New Year Mike and Seb!
Bahahahaha, 2nd breakfast! My dogs, Josie and Pearl, heard those 2 words and looked up! They know “2nd breakfast” is some of mom’s breakfast food served after their breakfast.😂
In 2014 I went to New Zealand for an extended 'land tour' vacation. Started in Christchurch & the first morning we got on the Kiwi Train that crossed over to the other side of that island. Most of the land travel was by tour coach (bus). Stayed overnight in Picton, such a pretty town! Took the Farry to Wellington & rode the cable car too! Love that country. 17 days later, the tour was over with such fond memories though! It's great to see your vlogs again. I thought you had changed careers or something? You're a good man Downie.
@@ronnymcdonald2543 No one voted because it was already named before there was a government here. Have some respect, you see all the maori carvings and language on the train and literally at every tourism spot, people around the WORLD appreciate the culture, you should appreciate it as well seeing as it is a massive part of our tourism. You don't get to pick and choose to have maori things only when it benefits financially while at the same time dismissing the very culture of aotearoa/ new zealand that people appreciate. Shocking that this hate comes only comes from new zealanders.
Kiwi here: (wellington) 1. Apologies for the weather, its like winter outside right now. also Wellington is uber quiet now with uni out and most office types on summer holiday till mid Jan. 2. Hope you mingle and chat with the locals, honestly the world is full of nice scenery and NZ is like many other countries in that respect but I truly think the respectful and friendly nature of the avg kiwi is something that still sets NZ apart from many other places
I live in Christchurch. I hope you did the Tranzalpine. West Coast and back in one day... That trip is the one that makes the lists of World's Best Rail Journeys.
as someone who lives in picton, you guys are lucky the ferry was working. it's fxxked half the time, either broken down or beached....glad to see you enjoying yourself in our beautiful country. hope you come back again
I'm a New Zealand citizen but I have never been there (got it from birth through my mother) I want to go so bad! Possibly even retire there. Thanks for this!
1. I love your videos 2. I love your Train videos 3 I love when you have your friends with you in your videos. You have some fantastic friends. That was great when Seth stole your closing line. We won't mention all of the puns!
I am so jealous!! I have only been on 1 train trip, 43 years ago on the Coast Starlight route from San Diego to Seattle. I do enjoy watching your RUclips trips.
You've inspired me to take the cable car in Wellington again. I recall as a child, it was uncovered, some of the seats were parallel to the tunnel walls, and it was fun to lean out and touch the walls as you went through. Obviously, they made it a lot safer, but I thought it had become boring, so didn't use it more than a couple of times. However, going by your video, they've upgraded the scenery with the murals and neon lighting. I'll give it a whirl!
@@AnnSmith-u9c Well there is no indigenous name for Australia as there are 300 languages and none of the actual indigenous groups knew how big the country really was or that they were on an island/continent. But we use indigenous names for a lot of other places despite racists and bigots getting upset. I'll just use Aotearoa then as that seems to upset racists on the internet.
@ just you wait cobba, your government will be changing the name and it will be illegal to use the name Australia or term Aussie lol. Also Māori had many‘languages’ too and none used the name aotearoa, it was only when very recently modern te reo Māori came to be . See my point lol ?
As a new zealander we have other places that have trains that are run by groups of volunteers if you ever come to waitara there is one that runs every 2nd Sunday and it cost $20 a person and it is cash to go on the train
Kia Ora Nau Mai Haere Mai Te Aotearoa( Greeting to you both and welcome to New Zealand). Thank you for loving our home and hope you both explore more around NZ... Cheers.
Glad you guys are having a great time. I love my country. As the world becomes increasingly more stressed and angry, we are so glad we are too small to be important and can be left alone to enjoy exactly what you are enjoying here.
Thanks for coming down to our wee patch of the world. It seems so long ago we started following you around YVR on your bike. We really appreciate your videos mate so stay safe and please keep doing what you do so well. 🍷
You came to New Zealand. Hope you enjoyed my home. Now to watch the video and see if you show my farm... We back onto the main trunk line just south of Hamilton.
I can't get over how lucky you too are. 😉 You too got so lucky with the weather. Awesome. I've seen these views oh so many, so it was lovely watching this with a couple of chilled Canadians. The New Zealanders of the North. 😊 (many of us that have travelled compare Australia to the US.) You'll definitely need to visit Taranaki where I'm from.🙂 Bravo guys!
Great start to a new year. New Zealand is one of the favorite places I've ever visited but I never knew about this scenic, food-filled train ride. I hope to do this one some day. It looked like spring with all the yellow broom blooming. I think this was the first official Downie Live bathroom tour I've seen in a while.
Auckland is not the top of the north island. The top is far different than anything you had seen until that point. The REAL Far North is 4 and half hours away. Stand on a hill up there and you can see the Pacific and Tasman oceans. Auckland is not the be all an end all of New Zealand
@@Paige0557 where from? Because it takes me 4/5 hours to get from Auckland to paihia/ kerikeri and you still have a good 2/3 hours left to get to your big hill where you can see the south Pacific Ocean and Tasman sea ( I take it by the definition you used, you mean that as being cape reinga)
I did a college semester abroad in New Zealand in Spring (their fall) 2016. During my time there I made it a point to explore around the country, utilizing motor coaches and a bike, as well as a couple train rides. One was the TranzAlpine which crosses the width of the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth, which is easily one of the most scenic train rides in the world (perhaps even more so than the ones you rode here). You go through the mountains with up close views of tall peaks, and cross multiple bridges across deep ravines. Hopefully you got to ride that train too.
I like your haircut. Also, I wish Amtrak would look so modern and chic. My late husband was in a wheelchair, so I love the bathroom accessibility. There is room to park the wheelchair next to the commode and also roll up under the sink. I didn't realize that New Zealand was mountainous,
I’ve never caught a NZ train this fancy with a decent toilet on it! This has made me want to catch a train to further distances if there’s a toilet on board! For years I thought I had to hold my bladder until a train stop 🤣🤣
As a New Zealander, i've been to basically everywhere in the north island and I have to say it's been a blast exploring all the north island. Thanks for visiting New Zealand and I hope you had a great time.
Our family was going to immigrate to New Zealand back in the 50's but decided to remain in Vancouver, my grandfather said areas were very similar to BC.
.. have been to new zealand for three months last year .. january till april .. had the best time of my life down there .. still get the goosebumps or could start to cry seeing stuff related to NZ .. best people .. best atmosphere .. nice food and drinks and stunning nature .. absolutely perfect!!
I remember Seb! What gorgeous scenery and a wonderful train experience. Loved the funicular too-remember your old funicular video and interest in them.
As a New Zealander, I’ve never been on a train in this country, I have to say, after watching this it’s now on my bucket list. The best bit? I had no idea we even had a first class service
same
I was thinking the same thing
Agreed! So want to do it now.
They dont advertise it to us, our money should go to taxes and high living costs😂
@@justscrolling1323 😂
My favorite part of these videos is seeing Mike interact with strangers, because I realize it's not just me it really is a Canadian thing we like people
We Kiwis are very similar to our Canuck cuzzies.
Hi Brothers visit Sri Lanka and join Kandy to Badulla Rail Journey ...
I've been following DownieLive for the past three years, and I have to say, you're absolutely amazing! The experiences you share are incredible, and the positivity and breathtaking scenery you showcase are truly inspiring. Thank you for bringing such uplifting vibes to your audience!
Thank you for the kind words!
@@DownieLive Hey man, I hope you really enjoyed New Zealand, we're happy to have you
Exactly which why I’m hooked. I have learned a lot about trains and travel in general.
I got connected to your channel when you were doing train journey from east coast of Canada to its west coast some years ago... fantabulous and this vlog i thoroughly enjoyed ...many thanks for sharing 🫶🫶🫶🫶🙌🙌🙌🙌 also enjoyed your travel around the world in first class
@@DownieLive You inspire me to travel solo and stay happy. I never traveled alone before, but after following you, I’ve started my own solo adventures. Your positivity and energy are amazing, and I hope to reflect the same. Thank you for inspiring me!
Sometimes we forget how spoilt we are in Aotearoa New Zealand. Seeing it anew through tourists eyes is such a gift.
New Zealand. You can just say New Zealand.
@@serbkebab2763 people have choices thanks to our triligingal official languages
@@serbkebab2763 Aotearoa. You can just say Aotearoa.
@@serbkebab2763 how about you say nothing?
It’s just New Zealand. It’s ok to still just say New Zealand
One of my earliest memories is being stuck in snow in on the cental plateau on the old Silver Star overnight train between Wellington and Auckland. They had to dig us out in the middle of the night. My memory is of looking out the window and seeing the rail workers walking along side the train with lanterns checking for snow and damage. My 4 year old self thought that this must be where Santa lived.
straight out of a movie
Also Downie, if you’re in NZ still consider booking yourself a ticket along Steam Inc’s Whanganui Vintage Weekend steam trips aboard Ja 1271 and DC 4818
I love it. What a great memory and I never knew this happened to that train
Between Wellington and Auckland? 😅
Sweet.
We got snowed in on the bus. We had to stop & stay the night on a marae. (Auck to Wgtn)
Tumeke.
I traveled to NZ three decades ago and discovered what a beautiful country it is and how great the people are. Would love to visit again someday.
The views that you have from that train remind me of my first trip to Switzerland. So much greenery and blue skies, and then suddenly, I see Lake Geneva for the very first time, and it’s flanked by mountains. And then you take another turn, and it’s snow capped Alps…and it’s just stunning.
I’ve been to New Zealand before but while working for a cruiseline. We did several ports and they were all amazing.
I may have to go back and do a train trip.
New Zealand was already at the top of my bucket list (as soon as I renew my passport) but this train must be added! Thank you for sharing this amazing journey!
New Zealand is such a beautiful country, and so are New Zealand people!
Im from the south of new zealand and even thought i am 15 and i see places like fiordland all the time it still suprizes me with its beauty
@@mitchellpowell4238 I'm from the North and it also never stops to surprise me how stunning this country is!!
I'm glad you finally made it to the trains in NZ! But please tell me you didn't skip the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth?! The views on that train easily blow these other two routes away, even though like you said, these are two of the prettiest trains in the world. I've ridden all 3 scenic trains in NZ and gone back to the CoastalPacific and TranzAlpine in different seasons to see the green view vs. the snowy view. I recommend everyone start in Auckland and end in Greymouth, so you'll build up from the least to best views. I also think going in late spring is probably prettiest because the snow is still on the mountains but the valleys are bright green and flowering.
Best part of the Christchurch to Greymouth train is passing through the longest tunnel for 15 min. Though it feels like night journey it feels amazing to think how did they built the tunnel that long and how many years it took. Also it feels amazing to pass through multiple small tunnels. It’s like playing with bed lamp switch 😂. I don’t know it makes sense to people who have not been in that train. 😂
New Zealand is such an amazing place-its nature, mountains, trains, and people are all incredibly beautiful and welcoming. I wish I could visit New Zealand someday, but it feels so difficult. Still, my heart longs to go there. Unfortunately, getting a visa is not in our hands. Wow, what a beautiful country, and the Kiwis are truly wonderful!
New Zealand is an entirely Narrow Gauge Network, which means tighter curves through mountain passes but still surprisingly a smooth ride. I came to New Zealand from Canada in 2011 and never left, beautiful country ❤
I wish I had never left in 1990. It is the only place I have ever wanted to "runaway" to--even if it meant I could not return to the US. I know the US has its many faults, but it is my home, and having visited about 40 other countries, New Zealand is the only place I have been that I thought would be worth giving up my home. People, culture, scenery!
Those little narrow gauge locos are so cute, they're so wee and smol
@@WestCoastWheelman THey are compared to the ones you have in North America. But did you know that Japan (with its high speed rail network) operates on the same sized gauge as NZ.
@@IntelDesignS59 Their high speed rail network actually doesn't, it's seperate and a broader gauge because high speed on tracks that narrow isn't safe. Mind you, they have a Lot of non-highspeed rail, and yes, that does use narrow gauge.
Mike, Mike, Mike.
You should be PUNished for all of those puns. 🤣
I was hoping for a pun about the "PP saver" outside the bathroom during breakfast 😂
he should be TRAINed not to make those types of puns
@clementbarrieu wow lol
Welcome Mike! So glad you've come! I've watched your rail journeys for years and its so nice to see you enjoying rail in NZ (And beautiful job on pronunciation of place names too). Thanks for making the journey to come all the way to NZ - it's wonderful to have you here!
We as Kiwis are so blessed.
1:02 I work at that car yard out the window, I watch that train leave most mornings!
New Zealand is such an amazing place-its nature, mountains, trains, and people are all incredibly beautiful and welcoming. I wish I could visit New Zealand someday, but it feels so difficult. Still, my heart longs to go there. Unfortunately, getting a visa is not in our hands. Wow, what a beautiful country, and the Kiwis are truly wonderful!
It's a real shame the ride doesn't start from Dunedin.
So much more to see!
You have the lovely Taieri Gorge to Middlemarch. Great trip.
Thank you for showing off our beautiful country very proud
This is so freaking cool!! I think of all the trains you’ve done, this one is on the top of my list to try and do one day. And that’s a hard list to top! Thanks for always sharing these unreal experiences that so many of us won’t get to experience ❤ you always have a way to capture the energy and excitement of everywhere you go - even if it’s to the tiniest, most random towns. Your positivity and outlook for life are really inspiring! So thank you
Welcome to my country New Zealand! I hope you enjoyed your time on our beautiful place on earth.
I want to visit ❤
Unreal mate. The volcano was cool. And the food 😋. That train is on my bucket list now. Thanks mate!
I live in Taupō. On a Sunny day, you can see clear across to the other side of Lake Taupō and get a stunning view of Ruapehu, the volcano seen here, as well as Ngarahoe and Tongariro (her shorter sisters). Unfortunately Taupō has no rail connection, so you'd have to drive. But that gives you an opportunity to take Desert Road which gets much closer than you would by train.
Been following you for years now and so good to see you in my home country.
Mike, you are so PUNny! Thanks for taking us to New Zealand. What a great trip!
Great to see you finally made it to NZ. I hope you come back and do the Tranz-Alpine some time soon. A number of people say that is even better than the Coastal Pacific. If you do come back spend some time on the west coast and do some of the many adventure activities over there. I managed to also watch your Forgotten Adventure in to Middle Earth - well - the middle of nowhere. Loved it. We have a few of those adventures over here. The ones I know are in Dargaville and in Mamaku (near Rotorua). Mamaku is my favourite as it looks down on Lake Rotorua. Many thanks for your entertaining videos. I hope you managed to have some quality family time back in Canada for Christmas (ps - loved the poem) and I look forward to your 2025 adventures. 🙂
i agree, the Tranz-Alpine is amazing and breathtaking. did it 2 years ago and would like to do it again.
Did a Trans-Alpine ride from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. It's incredibly beautiful. Biggest regret of my 17 day NZ adventure was not having enough time to do the South Island west coast. Just a gorgeous country, great people. Can't wait to get back someday.
Just watched your first video, and it’s amazing to see how your journey began! The New Zealand train trip was breathtaking. I’m from Bangladesh🇧🇩 and really enjoy your adventures. Keep up the great work!
Hobbit mealtimes: Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevensies, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Supper, Dinner.
We love a classic Downie by train trip. :) This was fantastic. And that scenery is a true wow. Looking forward to the next. Happy new year!
What a great video! Thanks so much for taking us along, Mike! Really enjoyed this “Bromantic Trip.” Particularly Seb’s ending!!! 😂
Haha, thanks Jeb!
We were booking our trip as your video came out. We’ll definitely have to collaborate this year!
I love these train videos so much, they’re so dang relaxing.
I watch so many travel videos and seeing you at the thistle inn by my house is so surreal knowing I would’ve been so close to where you were filming! So amazing seeing NZ through tourists eyes and how pretty our country is!!
Great video! There’s a real diversity in the land in New Zealand. Loved the views ❤️
Welcome To our little piece of Paradise mate. Safe travels.
I really love your videos! Discovered your channel during a very stressful time in my life and will forever be a viewer, thank you for quality content!!!!
Thanks for visiting my country guys, i hope you guys enjoyed your time here! That train ride looks amazing, we've decided to buy tickets after watching this, cheers guys, all the best
Was just in New Zealand a couple months ago for vacation and it was amazing. This video brought back a lot of good memories.
VERY NICE! Beautiful and peaceful. Just the way I like it. Thanks again, Mike.
As someone who can't afford to travel it's so nice to be able to see things through your videos. I've watched probably all of them lol. Jealous of the travels but thankful for the videos lol :D hope 2025 is full of super awesome adventures for you!
its beautiful here and those train journeys are glorious just glorious ...
I did this rail trip in reverse in 1990. The trains are different, but the beauty is all the same. Kaikoura on the South Island is a favorite memory. 🤩
Mike and Seb, what an amazing journey you’ve captured! 🚂✨Our famous toilet door was really feeling the love in this one! I hope we will see you onboard again soon for 2nd breakfast 😉
That door deserves all the love! What a trip!
You are very lucky with the scenery you have, but also for the great staff.
Can’t belive I missed you coming through Wellington! Thanks for coming and an awesome showcase of our Aotearoa! 😊
OMG what a trip! That was THE perfect vlog and an amazing trip - what huge fun! Stunning views, puns a plenty and slapstick into the bargain! The ONLY thing i'd have to have given a wide berth to was the jazz - to me is like nails on a blackboard - excruciating - cannot stand it! haha! My problem I know. Happy New Year Mike and Seb!
Bahahahaha, 2nd breakfast! My dogs, Josie and Pearl, heard those 2 words and looked up! They know “2nd breakfast” is some of mom’s breakfast food served after their breakfast.😂
The "Rushing out of the hotel" montage was PERFECT. So predictable yet still so fun. Nice video Mike! Looks like I'm heading to New Zealand.
Rushing but with enough time to get about 4 different angles
@@interstellaraudiodnb Agreed, but the whole montage made me laugh! The hurry up to the elevator and then wait for it was funny!
@ yeah it’s all top!
'run, run! We need to catch the train and set up the camera in several places along the way! 😆
What an amazing journey. Amazing scenery. Would love to visit New Zealand (if it only wasn't such a long long way away). Great video!
In short I can say that you are a gentleman❤
We know that you love our country with all your heart,
Thank you very much Daud ❤
In 2014 I went to New Zealand for an extended 'land tour' vacation. Started in Christchurch & the first morning we got on the Kiwi Train that crossed over to the other side of that island. Most of the land travel was by tour coach (bus). Stayed overnight in Picton, such a pretty town! Took the Farry to Wellington & rode the cable car too! Love that country. 17 days later, the tour was over with such fond memories though! It's great to see your vlogs again. I thought you had changed careers or something? You're a good man Downie.
Thanks for visiting our home, Aotearoa. I hope you enjoyed it!
NEW ZEALAND - No-one voted to change OUR nations official name.
It is called New Zealand..use it.
It's New Zealand , not Aotearoa.
@@ronnymcdonald2543 No one voted because it was already named before there was a government here. Have some respect, you see all the maori carvings and language on the train and literally at every tourism spot, people around the WORLD appreciate the culture, you should appreciate it as well seeing as it is a massive part of our tourism. You don't get to pick and choose to have maori things only when it benefits financially while at the same time dismissing the very culture of aotearoa/ new zealand that people appreciate. Shocking that this hate comes only comes from new zealanders.
@@thesquire6352 No it wasn't stop lying. In the pre-European era, Māori did not have a collective name for the two islands.
Kiwi here: (wellington)
1. Apologies for the weather, its like winter outside right now. also Wellington is uber quiet now with uni out and most office types on summer holiday till mid Jan.
2. Hope you mingle and chat with the locals, honestly the world is full of nice scenery and NZ is like many other countries in that respect but I truly think the respectful and friendly nature of the avg kiwi is something that still sets NZ apart from many other places
What an awesome journey. This one goes on my bucket list. I'm green with envy seeing the views
I just discovered there’s a train in Sicily, Italy that DRIVES ONTO A FERRY!!! I can’t believe you haven’t done that one yet!
I’m adding this trip to my bucket list.
The only train route l haven’t done so far is over the Southern Alps.
Trains are a great way to see New Zealand.
I live in Christchurch. I hope you did the Tranzalpine. West Coast and back in one day... That trip is the one that makes the lists of World's Best Rail Journeys.
as someone who lives in picton, you guys are lucky the ferry was working. it's fxxked half the time, either broken down or beached....glad to see you enjoying yourself in our beautiful country. hope you come back again
I'm a New Zealand citizen but I have never been there (got it from birth through my mother) I want to go so bad! Possibly even retire there. Thanks for this!
Thank you for visiting and flying so far to see us. I can't believe you were in my city of Christchurch. Ive been following you for years.
1. I love your videos 2. I love your Train videos 3 I love when you have your friends with you in your videos. You have some fantastic friends. That was great when Seth stole your closing line. We won't mention all of the puns!
I am so jealous!! I have only been on 1 train trip, 43 years ago on the Coast Starlight route from San Diego to Seattle. I do enjoy watching your RUclips trips.
Michael Downie your train vlogs are absolutely the best! I'm still waiting for the Ghan. 😜😜😁😁
Thank you so much for taking us on this trip! I enjoyed every minute of it. NZ is gorgeous
Lord of the Rings journey would have been very short and less anxious had they gone first class to Mordor
but they would have got first, second, and third breakfasts
@Secretlyanothername facts!
Watching many many train related vlogs i think this is one of the best trip
Happy new year to everyone. Loved the Christmas video btw it was very unique ❤
You've inspired me to take the cable car in Wellington again. I recall as a child, it was uncovered, some of the seats were parallel to the tunnel walls, and it was fun to lean out and touch the walls as you went through. Obviously, they made it a lot safer, but I thought it had become boring, so didn't use it more than a couple of times. However, going by your video, they've upgraded the scenery with the murals and neon lighting. I'll give it a whirl!
As an Aussie i do love visiting Aotearoa New Zealand, its got a beauty that is hard to define.
@@JustinWatson23 it’s just New Zealand. Or do you call Australia , Makarr Yindi ?
@@AnnSmith-u9c Well there is no indigenous name for Australia as there are 300 languages and none of the actual indigenous groups knew how big the country really was or that they were on an island/continent. But we use indigenous names for a lot of other places despite racists and bigots getting upset. I'll just use Aotearoa then as that seems to upset racists on the internet.
@ just you wait cobba, your government will be changing the name and it will be illegal to use the name Australia or term Aussie lol. Also Māori had many‘languages’ too and none used the name aotearoa, it was only when very recently modern te reo Māori came to be . See my point lol ?
@AnnSmith-u9c nobody sees your point, the only thing we see is you Commenting the same things on every comment, how embarrassing 🤣🤣🤣
@ so what? I’m not trying to make any point and I’m not embarrassed. I’m making a comment in the comments section, is that ok ?
The food looks so fancy. This is definitely a bucket list train ride
As a new zealander we have other places that have trains that are run by groups of volunteers if you ever come to waitara there is one that runs every 2nd Sunday and it cost $20 a person and it is cash to go on the train
@@jamieshotter8695 there's also Glenbrook, near Auckland, the one near Waihi that heads into the gorge.
@GDETrust yes i have been to glenbrook and it is so amazing there and there are a few more around that i want to go to like bay of islands railway
New Zealand is on my visit list when I retire in a few years. Thanks for providing some insight into train by New Zealand
I hope you enjoy it, it’s beautiful!
Kia Ora Nau Mai Haere Mai Te Aotearoa( Greeting to you both and welcome to New Zealand). Thank you for loving our home and hope you both explore more around NZ... Cheers.
This is the most beautiful video with great positive vibes💫
Welcome aboard to the channel
Glad you guys are having a great time. I love my country. As the world becomes increasingly more stressed and angry, we are so glad we are too small to be important and can be left alone to enjoy exactly what you are enjoying here.
I love watching train travel videos the scenery is always amazing im hoping to travel like that soon.
Second breakfast? What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?
Thanks for sharing this, Mike. Aotearoa has always been one of my bucket list locations!! This is beautiful
It really is a beautiful country!
I'm so glad your showcasing my amazing country 💯🇳🇿❤
I envy you Mike. What a colorful life. And that deck car!! Very cool.
Absolutely stunning view of New Zealand !
Thanks for coming down to our wee patch of the world. It seems so long ago we started following you around YVR on your bike. We really appreciate your videos mate so stay safe and please keep doing what you do so well. 🍷
You came to New Zealand. Hope you enjoyed my home. Now to watch the video and see if you show my farm... We back onto the main trunk line just south of Hamilton.
I love the different energies that your traveling companions bring to your journeys. Seb is so delightfully chill, with a glint in his eye :)
I’m in New Zealand
Hey please reply....can I say something 😊
5 minutes in and I'm already blown away by the beauty
Fun fact: the Interislander ferry is owned and operated by KiwiRail, and carries freight wagons on railway tracks in the hold.
I can't get over how lucky you too are. 😉 You too got so lucky with the weather. Awesome. I've seen these views oh so many, so it was lovely watching this with a couple of chilled Canadians. The New Zealanders of the North. 😊 (many of us that have travelled compare Australia to the US.) You'll definitely need to visit Taranaki where I'm from.🙂 Bravo guys!
I'd love to do that. Except for the 20 hour, ten thousand dollar plane journey.
Great start to a new year. New Zealand is one of the favorite places I've ever visited but I never knew about this scenic, food-filled train ride. I hope to do this one some day. It looked like spring with all the yellow broom blooming. I think this was the first official Downie Live bathroom tour I've seen in a while.
Auckland is not the top of the north island. The top is far different than anything you had seen until that point. The REAL Far North is 4 and half hours away. Stand on a hill up there and you can see the Pacific and Tasman oceans. Auckland is not the be all an end all of New Zealand
Actually the top of the north island is more like an eight hour drive from Auckland
@ don’t know what you drive but I did that commute weekly before there were expressways
@@Paige0557 where from? Because it takes me 4/5 hours to get from Auckland to paihia/ kerikeri and you still have a good 2/3 hours left to get to your big hill where you can see the south Pacific Ocean and Tasman sea ( I take it by the definition you used, you mean that as being cape reinga)
@AnnSmith-u9c your a clown 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦
Thanks Guys. Outstanding Journey
I did a college semester abroad in New Zealand in Spring (their fall) 2016. During my time there I made it a point to explore around the country, utilizing motor coaches and a bike, as well as a couple train rides. One was the TranzAlpine which crosses the width of the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth, which is easily one of the most scenic train rides in the world (perhaps even more so than the ones you rode here). You go through the mountains with up close views of tall peaks, and cross multiple bridges across deep ravines. Hopefully you got to ride that train too.
Great journey from one end to the other in New Zealand! Thanks
I like your haircut. Also, I wish Amtrak would look so modern and chic. My late husband was in a wheelchair, so I love the bathroom accessibility. There is room to park the wheelchair next to the commode and also roll up under the sink. I didn't realize that New Zealand was mountainous,
I’ve never caught a NZ train this fancy with a decent toilet on it! This has made me want to catch a train to further distances if there’s a toilet on board! For years I thought I had to hold my bladder until a train stop 🤣🤣
Great video of our country guys, I reckon this may even inspire more Kiwis to take a train trip to experience it too.
As a New Zealander, i've been to basically everywhere in the north island and I have to say it's been a blast exploring all the north island. Thanks for visiting New Zealand and I hope you had a great time.
Our family was going to immigrate to New Zealand back in the 50's but decided to remain in Vancouver, my grandfather said areas were very similar to BC.
.. have been to new zealand for three months last year .. january till april .. had the best time of my life down there .. still get the goosebumps or could start to cry seeing stuff related to NZ .. best people .. best atmosphere .. nice food and drinks and stunning nature .. absolutely perfect!!
Amazing! I want to go now & enjoy the scenery and food.
NZ landscape looks like a mix of Pacific Northwest and Britains Islands, it’s damn beautiful !
I have seen videos of what that very crossing is like in a storm. I'm glad you didn't have a storm.
I remember Seb! What gorgeous scenery and a wonderful train experience. Loved the funicular too-remember your old funicular video and interest in them.