Greetings from New Zealand

So I have begun the journey down to the Pole and am still only half way there after two and a half days. I am currently in New Zealand and will have to wait at least one more full day here before going to the coast of Antarctica.

The flights down here were all commercial flights so they were pretty comfortable. Now that Ive been here for over almost two days and am finally well rested from the long flights down here. Christ Church, NZ is a beautiful city on the south island and that is where I am staying. After about a day and a half here you begin to get abit antsy, so I think we will drive out and hike in the mountains today.

The picture above was taken here in Christ Church at Cathedral Square, which is at the center of downtown and below is another typical scene from a small street of shops downtown.

One thing that we had to do yesterday was to try on all of our cod weather clothing at the Antarctic center. Here is a picture of a bunch of us trying on the two to three bags worth of gear. We have to do so in case anything is the wrong size.

Hopefully next time I post I will be at least one leg further along in my journy south. The flight from NZ to McMurdo station via C130 plane or C17 is next. I am hoping for the C17 jet because it takes only 5 hours and has real seats as apposed to the operation dumbo drop C130 where everyone faces each other and the trip takes 8 hours.

Take Care