Today is the Antarctic Center where we are going to have a back stage experience with their little blue penguins! We got off the ship early – and tried to strategize our way into Christchurch and to the Antarctic Center (which is at the airport and a $75 cab ride away). Since it was Sunday, the public transportation didn’t run as frequently as during the week – and the shuttle to Christchurch from the ship (25 minute ride) didn’t begin until 9 am. We had a 10:30 appointment so we ended up hiring a taxi for a one hour tour of Christchurch ending at the Antarctic center.
Our cabbie was a local Maori who has been here most of his life and enjoys the city. Didn’t give us too much history, but did show us the sites and tour us around to get our bearings. Made it to the Antarctic Center right as it opened and rushed inside before a tour bus of Princess passengers arrived. We had purchased tickets and the back stage experience online and when we checked in, they also gave us free handheld audio guides and a ride on the Hagglund (the transport they use in the Antarctic).
We wandered around the displays, which were incredibly interesting. Went into the Snow and Ice experience where we experienced what a real Antarctic storm would feel like. They have 5 tons of snow in the room, an igloo, a tent, wind chill machines and a storm that blows through dropping the temperature to –18 Celsius. They give you show covers to protect the snow, and heavy down coats to protect you. It’s a ton of fun – I even slid down an ice sliding hill. Too funny!
Outside of the storm, we wandered through fascinating exhibits explaining the Antarctic, the land mass, the atmosphere, how explorers can and do live there, and of course watched the penguins. They have a group of Blue Penguins, the smallest penguins in the world, at the center. They have all been saved from various situations around New Zealand – some are blind, some are paralyzed, or have other issues, and all are living there at the center in an environment specifically designed for them. Learned that penguins have a heavier bone structure than other birds because they don’t fly, they swim (although they are really just “flying” under water). Also learned that they’re feathers are water proof and when they molt, they aren’t water proof for quite some time and can’t swim – so they lose a lot of weight because they can’t hunt for food until they grow back their feathers and become waterproof again; when penguins shake, they are warm and trying to release some body heat; they mate for life but will mate with other penguins if their “life mate” isn’t available.
The penguins at the center live in an area with a swimming “hole” and rocks and pebbles and little nesting caves. They don’t really like to swim all that much, so the staff helps them along, and takes care of the little sick ones. We got to go up into their enclosure and see them up close, then got to go behind the scenes to see how they keep the area the penguins live and the water clean. Then we went into the care area, where one of the little penguins – Mo – was being kept. We got to pet her and watch her waddle around in the office while we sat there and talked to her. Really adorable. And so teeny and looked so cuddly – although the handler said they could bite and really hurt –so of course we were careful of that!
We also went on a Hagglund ride. The Hagglund is the vehicle they actually use for transport in the Antarctic. It’s a huge contraption with tank like treads. The course we rode is in the back of the complex and has 40 degree steep hills and doughnuts with 35 degree angles. It was really fun – but the best part was when we went into this ditch filled with water and the water was up over the hood of the Hagglund and we floated through it. Too cool!
After leaving the center, we took the Penguin Express shuttle back to town (which was free). Walked around Christchurch which has a gorgeous square in the middle of town called Cathedral Square along with a beautiful river called the Avon. Lots of benches and walkways along the river made it a very picturesque, but chilly day. Since it was Sunday, some stores weren’t open, but the weekend markets were in full swing. We spent some time shopping the stalls of locally made sweaters, woolens, soaps and jewelry. The knitted items are all a combination of Merino Wool and Possum. Kid you not. They have a huge possum issue here – they are multiplying and killing off the birds and foliage that keep the ecosystem going, so they are trying to eradicate them. In the process, they have found that combining the possum fur with the wool makes the clothing sturdier and softer – so everything is a combination of the two. There were some beautiful items, but no bargains, that’s for sure! And since we’re heading into Spring, not Fall like they are here, it was very hard to rationalize buying anything.
Ended up heading back into town, walking along the river and having lunch at the Tap – a great restaurant with a view of the river walk. We had a Tasting for 2 – which ended up being a selection of meat and seafood served on a hot stone, so that we “cooked” it ourselves. It was great- beef, lamb, veal, shrimp, mud bugs, mussels, and tuna all sizzling away in front of us. The perfect Atkins meal!
Wandered some more, visited a few stores where my back pack kept buzzing going through the theft detectors (never did figure out what made that happen!!!) and then headed for the shuttle and the ship.
Back aboard, sail-away, and then a mad rush to exercise and go see the “comedy” of Mark Angelo, which ended up being the Juggling of Mark Angelo, then dinner a drink or two and off to bed. Tomorrow Wellington and the wine country.
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