-Calling a New Zealander a Kiwi is not derogatory.  I thought it might be.  Turns out its totally acceptable.

-Bathing suits are also known as togs or costumes-I rented one today, didn’t know you could do that either

-Its early spring here right now, the equivalent of April in the states

3:47 AM Monday morning: Ice flight delayed, storms at McMurdo.  Turns out we had a whole day to kill in NZ. Could be worse.

We stopped at a local distillery.  Turns out they make some of the worlds finest gin.

Drove north up to Hanmer Springs

Hung Out in the Thermal Pools

And Pretty much had a good time

Never let your guard down.  Honey bees are everywhere.  I didn’t see any though.

Since the last post in LA a lot has gone down.  I actually missed my first flight from LA to Sydney.  So, I stayed in LA while polar travel was re-booking me.  I rented a car during the day because I had some time to kill and drove around LA, Beverly Hills and Hollywood.  Turns out Southern California is for the birds.  Not my kind of place.

I arrived in Christchurch yesterday at 15:00 and was immediately greeted after customs by ASC folks (Antarctic Support) and steered toward the CDC (Clothing Distribution Center) to pick up cold weather gear for the season.   Bags were packed and good to go for our 5:00 AM Ice Flight to McMurdo.  I’ve never seen so much Carhart gear in one room before.  This is my kind of place.