Passport to Antarctica!
I can't believe it! The time has finally arrived - though at times I thought it would never get here!
For the next several days I will be traveling from Memphis to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Of course, as much as I wish there was a flight that would take me directly to an Antarctica - there is none. So I have to take a roundabout way of getting there. And just out of curiosity, I decided to track the total mileage I've flown and the total hours I've traveled (actually in the airplane). Take a look at this video of my scheduled flights.
While you're watching the video try to figure out how many miles I'll travel and how long it will take me to get there?
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The adventure begins
My adventure started in Memphis on Friday, January 6 at 12:05 p.m. And according to my schedule, I wouldn't arrive in Antarctica until January 11th. WOW - that's a long time! So, I decided to 'mentally' break my trip into shorter segments - so it would 'seem' quicker. I did that by setting 'short' travel goals. My first goal was simply to get to Los Angeles, California.
First Goal: Get to Los Angeles, California
My first 'short goal' was to get to Los Angeles California but I did so by taking a detour through Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The flight time to O'Hare took less than two hours - in fact it went by so quickly I forgot to take any pictures. I had a brief layover, and then hopped a plane directly to Los Angeles California. The flight time to LA was only four and half hours. That was quick!
I think this 'setting shorter goal' thing is really going to work.
Alex happy to be on her way to Los Angeles.
Second Goal: Get to Christchurch, New Zealand
This flight concerned me - I've never been on a flight that lasted more than seven hours.
From LA to New Zealand - That's quite a distance!
And to make matters worse the flight out of LA was completely full and delayed. We were supposed to leave at 11:25 p.m. but didn't get off the ground until about 12:30 a.m. Needless to say I was pretty sleepy, but I perked up after I realized the flight wasn't completely full, in fact, the seat next to mine was vacant. Can you believe the luck! It was just perfect for taking a nap on the long flight.
Alex stretching out. Ahhh! Isn't this the life! It's wonderful to have room to stretch out - especially on a 13 and a half hour plane ride.
And more good news, shortly after takeoff we were served chicken cacciatore Yum! But, I can't believe I actually had dinner at about 1:30 in the morning. (which was actually 3:30 a.m. Memphis time). At this point, I curl up and started to take a nap. It's amazing how quickly time flies when you're asleep. I awoke to another wonderful smell - breakfast - and was ready to start the day.
But at this point, I have no concept of time. Somewhere in the middle of the night the plane crossed the International Date Line - an imaginary line that separates the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
International Date Line - photo courtesy of teacherweb.com
This is also the point where the 'day' starts - so by crossing the International Date Line (traveling westward) I actually lost a day. I have no idea where Saturday went because when I left LA it was Friday evening and when I arrived in New Zealand it was Sunday morning. Time really does fly. This might actually be beneficial on my trip home.
After another short delay, I again hopped a plane to where I am now - Christchurch, New Zealand. Yes! Another travel goal attained! The rest of my team will arrive at Christchurch tomorrow.