Gateway to the Antarctic
Christchurch, New Zealand is also known as the "Gateway to the Antarctic". All around the USAP facilities there is evidence of the important role that Christchurch plays in helping Antarctic operations.
This is the USAP hangar at the airport. Tomorrow we'll be leaving thanks to the help of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
There is also a very interesting facility known as the International Antarctic Center. The Antarctic Center is right beside the USAP passenger terminal and will be the place we eat breakfast before boarding the C-17 to McMurdo Station.
This is the International Antarctic Center. What a cool place!
Even their pay phones have an Antarctic theme.
To get inside, just follow the footprints. Do you see evidence of another animal that walked this way besides an Antarctic explorer?
These bunny boot footprints and penguin tracks lead the way to the Antarctic Center.
A quick look inside the Antarctic Center reveals that this is a great place for the public to get a look and feel for life in Antarctica.
You can click here to visit their web site.
If you get a chance, the Antarctic Center offers opportunities to experience an Antarctic storm, take a ride in a Haagland, and get up close and personal with some penguins.
This is a Haagland. I can't wait to see what unusal vehicles we get to use down on the ice!
It is a great way to spend a few hours, and has made me ready for a trip to the real thing. McMurdo, here we come!