We awoke and had a quick breakfast before loading up for a visit to the International Antarctic Center.
New Zealand hosts multiple international research teams that travel to the Antarctic. Our tour began with a ride in one of the snowcats that are used at the Antarctic research stations. They have set up an obstacle course that mimics travel across the glaciers.
Next we tour, their interactive museum. One of the stops was in their “Storm room” it is kept at 17°f. After about four minutes in the room, the lights, dim and large fans kick on blasting more cold air and dropping the temperature just below zero.
Afterwards, we went to the penguin tank, walk-through an example campsite, and then some mock ice tunnels.
Much of Christchurch was damaged by a major earthquake in 2010. We visited one shopping center for lunch that escaped most of the damage and still has much of its original building buildings.
Next week again loaded in the car for a 2hr 45 min drive to Lake Tekapo. Scenery along the drive was beautiful.
We arrived in Lake Tekapo and visited the church of the good Shepherd. It sits right on the edge of the lake is made out of stone and is the most photographed church in the country. It is much smaller than I had imagined. I don’t know if I can make it through service without being completely distracted by the view of the lake out the back window.
We crossed a large arched foot bridge and had dinner and the town center, which is comprised of about 20 shops and then at dark went to our next event.
We soaked in a hot pool sitting on what they call hammocks which allow your body to be just under the water level and stir up at the sky for stargazing our guide, explained all of the constellations that could be seen. Obviously, there are no pictures of this event as it was in the dark, but it was amazing.
We went to bed at about midnight after a long, but enjoyable day.
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