Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Day 17: Back in Auckland
Today we are back in Auckland. Chris has gone off to help his dad and I am hanging out and doing laundry. I would like and try and get pictures up on all these posts when Chris gets back.
Some funny things I need to share.
1. Sheep. They are everywhere. Not kidding. Millions. But none to pat. Every time we drive by some I picked out the cutest one that I would like to pet and feed a banana to. Chris has realized that he could have saved a lot of money by just taking me to the petting zoo.
2. Street Signs. They are so pleasant. Instead of "flagman ahead" it says "please stop if requested" instead of "yield" it is "give way". There are also signs with exclamations points and the falling rock signs are pictures of rocks.
3. One lane bridges are everywhere. There is sign showing which side has to yield. I am going to write a letter to the Prime Minister. You would think New Zealand could afford two lane bridges.
Day 16: Rain, Rain Go Away
The rain caught up to us in Christchurch.
We had to stick to indoor activities. We went to the Art Centre and the Museum. Both were free and wonderful.
Then we headed out to the airport where there is a new Antarctic Exhibit at the Antarctic Center. All flights to Antarctica's Scott Base leave out of Christchurch. All the US, NZ and English teams have there main research stuff in Christchurch as well.
We went in a snow storm simulator that blew winds at -17 F. We were given boots and coats but Chris and I both had shorts on. There was one crazy guy in there with his shirt off.
I climbed in the igloo to hide until it was over. We saw replicas of the equipment they use and learned about the conditions there. They also have a great penguin area.
They have actual blue penguins which are the small ones we saw in Akaroa and live in NZ.
I fell very educated in the ways of Antarctica.
We had to stick to indoor activities. We went to the Art Centre and the Museum. Both were free and wonderful.
Then we headed out to the airport where there is a new Antarctic Exhibit at the Antarctic Center. All flights to Antarctica's Scott Base leave out of Christchurch. All the US, NZ and English teams have there main research stuff in Christchurch as well.
We went in a snow storm simulator that blew winds at -17 F. We were given boots and coats but Chris and I both had shorts on. There was one crazy guy in there with his shirt off.
I climbed in the igloo to hide until it was over. We saw replicas of the equipment they use and learned about the conditions there. They also have a great penguin area.
They have actual blue penguins which are the small ones we saw in Akaroa and live in NZ.
I fell very educated in the ways of Antarctica.
Day 15: Like Being on a movie set
It was still raining when we woke up in Franz Josef. We started off down the road to the glacier but the road is dirt, winding, and had a ranging river on one side and since we could only see about 10 feet in front of us we turned back.
Again we drove through rain forest and then over rocky mountains and then through tussock (looks like dead monkey grass) fields and green mountains. Then we were in Christchurch. I can see why so many movies and shows film here. You can reach almost any kind of landscape you desire within an hour of a city. It is almost incredible to watch the landscape change.
Once we got into Christchurch, we picked up Anna's key and drove out to Sumner to the beach. It was so beautiful. Then we road up the Christchurch Gondola to check out the view.
It was great.
We ordered Hell's pizza with Anna and Oscar who is her Siamese. Chris is the cat whisperer, no doubt. Although his hands look like he got into a bar fight because Oscar is too fast for Chris. It is skinny like Chris who is too accustomed to playing with Snoopy who won't always play if you are out of her reach when she is lying down.
Again we drove through rain forest and then over rocky mountains and then through tussock (looks like dead monkey grass) fields and green mountains. Then we were in Christchurch. I can see why so many movies and shows film here. You can reach almost any kind of landscape you desire within an hour of a city. It is almost incredible to watch the landscape change.
Once we got into Christchurch, we picked up Anna's key and drove out to Sumner to the beach. It was so beautiful. Then we road up the Christchurch Gondola to check out the view.
It was great.
We ordered Hell's pizza with Anna and Oscar who is her Siamese. Chris is the cat whisperer, no doubt. Although his hands look like he got into a bar fight because Oscar is too fast for Chris. It is skinny like Chris who is too accustomed to playing with Snoopy who won't always play if you are out of her reach when she is lying down.
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