Day 2 in Christchurch...

So, I know this blog is suppose to be about the South Pole, but I can't seem to get there!!  We had to weather cancel today (and possibly tomorrow!)  So, I went back to the botanical gardens.

Day in Christchurch, New Zealand

After trying on my cold weather gear, a friend and I took a bus into downtown.  We went to the botanical gardens (free and beautiful if you ever make it out this way!), and walked around downtown.  After the big earthquake in February, downtown was completely closed because of all the building damage.  Just this past weekend, they opened a few streets.  Since many buildings were so damaged, they reopened in storage like containers!

Extreme Cold Weather Gear

On Sunday, I went to the Antarctic Headquarters building here in Christchurch to try on my cold weather gear.  Flip flops one day, FDX boots the next!  It's in the 60's here in New Zealand, soon it will be 100 degrees colder.

I was scheduled to leave Monday morning for the ice, but we are delayed now until Tuesday morning.  That means one more day of sightseeing in Christchurch!!

Made it to Christchurch, New Zealand!

After 2 days in Denver, and 3 very long flights to the Southern Hemisphere, I have made it to Christchurch, New Zealand.  I will hang here for the next 36 hours to catch up on some sleep, repack a few things, and get my cold weather gear.  I should be on my way to McMurdo, Antarctica on a C17 Monday morning.

I will probably be heading to downtown Christchurch tomorrow, hopefully I can get a few pictures to post!!

Really excited for the adventure that lies ahead!