I have returned to the planet Earth

. Our Home Base ., . Our New Zealand Adventure .

Sunday October 7, 2012

I returned to Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday October 5th after a nice 5 hour flight from the sea ice runway in Antarctica. One adventure has ended and another started. The pilot announced that the cockpit was open for visitors for the amazing flight over the Antarctic. There were only 15 of us redeploying so we all had ample time for the experience. After customs and luggage collection we stopped off at the United States Antarctic Program Clothing Distribution Center to drop off our three bags of Extreme Cold Weather Gear. I was very happy to get rid of all those clothes, especially the heavy parka, as I am a shorts, t-shirt, and sandal guy. Once that was complete we were taken to our motels in Christchurch.

The next morning I hopped on a Christchurch Metro Bus for a run to the local Vodaphone store. There I purchased a prepaid phone and USB internet stick for MiFi use. Neither Jocelyn’s nor my phone will work here so this was a cheap alternative to make advance reservations at campsites and backpackers. The Kiwis travel a lot on weekends so these accommodations are sometimes booked well in advance. The MiFi will come in handy when WiFi is not available. We had a MiFi on our US cross country trip last year. It makes these updates a lot easier and more often than waiting for WiFi.

I then moved to Point Break Backpackers in New Brighton Beach where I will stay until our ride begins. It is a cool hostel, very friendly and accommodating at only $50 for a twin room with shared bathrooms and as I have been living in a small dorm room with shared bathroom in McMurdo Station for the last eight month this was fine. I like the easy and “bumming style”. Jocelyn will be arriving Wednesday and I’m sure she will like it. I am writing this on a mellow Sunday morning listening to some easy music in the attached cafe. Tomorrow I will go to Natural High Bike Shop to check out our bikes that we will hire.

Boarding Ivan the Terra Bus for a ride to the sea ice runway.
Boarding Ivan the Terra Bus for a ride to the sea ice runway.

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Plenty of room and excellent viewing of the Antarctic. Only 15 of us redeployed.
Plenty of room and excellent viewing of the Antarctic. Only 15 of us redeployed.
My last view of Hut Point, Observation Hill, and Mt. Erebus.
My last view of Hut Point, Observation Hill, and Mt. Erebus.
Observation Hill...one of my favorite hiking areas. The white "golfball" in the middle is where I worked. Inside this radome is a 10 meter dish antenna for tracking polar orbiting satellites.
Observation Hill…one of my favorite hiking areas. The white “golfball” in the middle is where I worked. Inside this radome is a 10 meter dish antenna for tracking polar orbiting satellites.
I guess it is time to leave this planet after eight months and return to Earth.
I guess it is time to leave this planet after eight months and return to Earth.
The captain left the cockpit door open for the entire flight and invited us to visit with the crew. Such beautiful views.
The captain left the cockpit door open for the entire flight and invited us to visit with the crew. Such beautiful views.

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The edge of the Antarctic continent surrounded by many miles of sea ice.
The edge of the Antarctic continent surrounded by many miles of sea ice.
New Zealand. Reminds me of Hawaii.
New Zealand. Reminds me of Hawaii.
I am staying at the Point Break Backpacker (hostel) in Brighton Beach preparing for the ride.
I am staying at the Point Break Backpacker (hostel) in Brighton Beach preparing for the ride.
A nice view of the South Pacific from the 2nd floor rooms.
A nice view of the South Pacific from the 2nd floor rooms.
Speight's Beer and surf...a good combination.
Speight’s Beer and surf…a good combination.
A library on the beach!
A library on the beach!
How cool, a library, beach promenade, and a pier.
How cool, a library, beach promenade, and a pier.

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This looks a lot like my hometown of Oxnard, California with Ventura in the background.
This looks a lot like my hometown of Oxnard, California with Ventura in the background.
Back where I belong...the beach.
Back where I belong…the beach.

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I met some of my ice friends at a cool brewery, Dux. My favorite was the Nor'wester.
I met some of my ice friends at a cool brewery, Dux. My favorite was the Nor’wester.
A delicious mushroom and dried fig pizza. For those of you that read my first journal know that Jocelyn and I crossed the country eating Mexican food. I sort of went vegetarian in Antarctica so in this land of the sheep it could be an interesting eating experience.
A delicious mushroom and dried fig pizza. For those of you that read my first journal know that Jocelyn and I crossed the country eating Mexican food. I sort of went vegetarian in Antarctica so in this land of the sheep it could be an interesting eating experience.
A get-together at Duxlive bar with the ice crew. Fun, fun, time.
A get-together at Duxlive bar with the ice crew. Fun, fun, time.
We also went the the Pedal Pusher Bar where they had bicycle furnishings.
We also went the the Pedal Pusher Bar where they had bicycle furnishings.

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This saddle bar stool really wasn't that comfortable. I can see someone easily falling off after a few too many.
This saddle bar stool really wasn’t that comfortable. I can see someone easily falling off after a few too many.
Cool wheel lighting.
Cool wheel lighting.

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More gear lighting.
More gear lighting.
A nice coat rack.
A nice coat rack.
Sunday morning in Brighton Beach, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Sunday morning in Brighton Beach, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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