TO THE ICE!

 TO THE ICE!

 

 

I was greatly attracted to this itinerary for New Zealand  because of this planned visit to the International Antarctic Centre (it is how it is spelled). 

 

 

Our guide yesterday informed us the US Air Force presence in Christchurch is about 130 airmen. US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and Hercules LC-130 aircraft fly from Christchurch to McMurdo Station and Scott Base in Antarctica.


As many of you who follow this blog know, I have Polar or Ice Fever. My interest and passion for the great age of polar exploration is beyond description. So this center peaked my interest. 

The ethos of the center is  “See it. Love it. Save it.”  They believe it is the spirit of adventure which draws people to the Antarctic (and I will add the Arctic)  and is the first step in becoming a passionate advocate.

This was a great experience and fueled my desire to return to The Ice of the South.

The Hagglund ride was interesting, as these are the primary vehicles used in Antarctica. 

Here, one can experience in addition to the Hagglunds, the Storm Dome, Penguin Rescue, HD Theatre and the 4D Theatre, and the Husky Dome. 

The Penguin Rescue  is where Little Blue penguins are on display and much information about them and current rescues taking place. 

The two theaters are great in giving one a great feel for the Antarctic. 

The Storm Dome is where the temperature drops and the wind howl to give one a feel for the conditions in Antarctica. Very KEWL and cool.

In the Husky Dome, a talk was given about the roll the sled dogs played in Antarctic exploration. The speaker brought his pack of huskies who added to the presentation.

Personally I really enjoyed this visit and could have used a bit more time to take in the exhibits. 

 

 



Then we were off to the Curators House in the Botanical Park for lunch. The Botanical Park is very nice and relaxing.

Next up was punting on the Avon river which flows through the botanical gardens. Relaxing and informative. 

 

 

Then this evening we were on our own for the evening meal. Our research led us to The Church Pub. 

Housed in a gothic renewal building originally constructed in 1875 as the Trinity Congregational Church. The Church was designed by Benjamin Mountfort. It opened in 1875 and is the oldest masonry structure in the central city.

Later, after the 2011 earthquake, the space was leased and thus The Church Pub came into existence. 

 

                          A restaurant area near our hotel.



We had their fish and chips and they were very very good. 



 

 

Back to the room to pack up and prepare for tomorrow.

GEYSERS AND CARVING AND FLIGHT TO SOUTH ISLAND

 OFF TO THE SOUTH ISLAND:

We were up and getting our bags ready for the flight to the South Island. Weight restriction but no big deal as we are good there. 



After breakfast we loaded onto our bus and made the short drive to Te Puia  Geothermal Park. This is an area of Rotorua where we find many different thermal features. This park covers 70 hectares (173 acres) and is a very active geothermal area. Located in the park one finds these various thermal features which include, hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles, and travertine terraces. 

 

 

Geologically it is amazing to find these features in such a confined area. Here we find Pohutu Geyser. This is the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Pohutu Geyser erupts about 20 times a day and these eruptions can reach up to 30 meters high.

 

                         ALL IN ALL A BABY YELLOWSTONE
 

On this property we find the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. This institute was created about 60 years ago to keep the crafts of Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (National Wood Carving School), Te Takapū o Rotowhio (National Stone and Bone Carving School) and Te Rito o Rotowhio (the National Weaving School).

Here you learn a bit about the tools used, styles, and see works in progress. 

One exits via a gallery and gift shop. 



 

 

Next we were off to the airport to catch a flight to Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand. The flight was in an ATR 27 and took a little over two hours. Interestingly there was no security check point for this domestic flight.

As expected, we boarded a bus and made our way to the Crown Plaza Hotel. Along the way we saw a few US Air Force planes used to support the missions on Antarctica. 

I was amazed at the very diverse architecture, most likely due to various neighborhoods being rebuilt after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. 



When we arrived at the hotel we dropped our bags and went for a GREAT walking tour, learning a good bit about the people of Christchurch, architecture, wildlife. We also got lots of great tips for dining places for tomorrow evening. 



 

I spied this statue from a good distance and knew right away it was Scott.

The willow trees along the river Avon here in Christchurch were started from cuttings by French sailors. Theses cuttings were brought here from St. Helena. This is the Island where Nepolian was held in exile. 

Christchurch has a very positive vibe, with a vibrant culinary scene and great green spaces. 

The evening concluded with a group evening meal. 

Some fellow travelers went out for a night cap. We retired to our room to write this blog, organized our bags, and got some laundry done.

Tomorrow we will be visiting the International Antarctic Center, yes I am very excited about this.

KIWIS< SHEEP< TREES PIT MEAL!

 

 

The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa

Currently there are about 68,000 kiwi left in New Zealand and they diminishing by about 2% every year. 

The National Kiwi Hatchery is involved in efforts to sustain the Kiwi population. In the wild kiwi chicks are predated upon by stoats, making the survival rate rather low.

The male kiwi broods the nest and when a male is observed sitting on a nest the eggs are collected. They are carefully transported to the hatchery where the incubation is finished.

The chicks are fed for their first three weeks. At that time they are placed in an enclosure where forest conditions are simulated. Then when they reach about 1 kilo in weight they are released into the wild.

This was a great experience and it was nice to be able to support such great work.

 

NO PHOTOS ALLOWED INSIDE THE REALLY INTERESTING AREAS



Agrodome Farm Tour: 

Here we saw a sheep shearing and the many different sheep they raise. The also raise Red Deer and Alpacas. 

We had a very nice lunch at their Bowen House.

 

 

Rotorua Canopy Tours: 

While most of the group went zip lining, a few of us chose to do a forest walk. It was most excellent to be able to walk this virgin forest. My little brain is so full of the information imparted. We watched some birds i.e. the North Island robin and others. Learning about the many many plants and vines and ferns and trees. The guides were great and we have a fun informative time. 

 

                    A stoat, these bad boys prey upon kewis

                                       Silver Fern

             This is a vine and not a tree, they grow them big.

 This tree is really really old like hundres of years 200-400  YOA


Maori Cultural experience:

Here we got to experience Māori culture as you entered a marae (a communal house) which are considered a sacred place. We were greeted  with a traditional Māori welcome. We experienced song and dance and the Haka. 

 

                                A nice way to end the day

Our meal was prepared in a  hangi.  This is a hot rock covered pit. The meal cooked for about 3 hours and 45 minutes. Cooked in our hangi  were root vegetables, chicken and lamb. The whole experience was in essence where we all became family. 

It was an amazingly great meal. 

 

 
We then returned to the hotel for some strategic packing as we have an internal flight with weight limits.  

GLOW WORMS!!! THEY ARE KEWL!

 Glow Worm Kinda Day: 

 

Arachnocampa luminosa (Skuse, 1891), (SAY THAT 5 TIMES FAST) commonly known as New Zealand glowworm or simply glowworm, is a species of Fungus gnat, and is solely endemic to  New Zealand. The larval  stage and the imago (last stage) produce a blue-green bioluminescence . The species is dwells in caves and on sheltered banks in the native bush where humidity is high, as moisture helps to maintain their silk structures that capture prey.  Its Maori  names are pūrātoke, from the verb "to glow", and titiwai, meaning "lights reflected in water.” This likely derives from the glowworms' presence near bodies of water, where their luminous displays are reflected.

Our group went with Spellbound, a family owned caving tour operator. We were not disappointed and simply WOW’ed, excellent narration and a great deal of information was presented.

 

Divided into small groups, the first cave we explored was Spirit Cave. This cave is a dry cave and yes we saw some glow worms. Stalagmites and stalactites are found along this old riverbed. Even more fascinating are the bones of a Moa (a large extinct bird which stood 6’ tall).

 

Next we explored the Mangawhitikau Glowworm Cave. I can hardly describe this cave. The number of these glow worms is unbelievable. Attached are some photos and video. 

 

 

 

 

 

  ZOOM IN TO THE VIDEO TO SEE THE WORMS GLOWING

 

 

We then loaded up on our bus and made our way to Rotorua. We checked into our hotel and made our way out to find dinner. 

 



Pre trip research lead us to the Pig & Whistle, Rotorua’s historic pub. Yes, as this pub was once Rotorua’s Police Station, it had to be good and it was. We enjoyed excellent stout, and steam buns with BBQ pork and a pizza. Way to much but a great place. Dang I forgot to ask for the Police Discount :) 

 



Back to the room and write the days events up and do laundry.

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