We were up early to go to the Antarctic Research Centre. NZ has about 1/5 of the continent under protector ship and a research station 3 km from the US station. They are both supplied from this Centre by Hercules airplanes. The researchers and staff sit along benches knee to knee for 8 hours having to climb over each other to get to the biffy in a box. No one drinks water.
The lady who took us through had been not only at the NZ research centre but also the base station at the south pole. The planes never turn off their engines and have to land and unload quickly so the heat from the body of the aircraft doesn’t melt the runway and make it even more dangerous for landing. The centre is full of displays of how they dig cores through ice, water, sediment and rock to get a record of the history of Antarctica, It had tropical forests several times when CO2 levels were high.. If it melts again our oceans will rise 2-300 feet around the world. We were a sober but impressed group. We also watched a 4D movie of Antarctica filmed from helicopters and on land and underwater. When water splashed over the boat it splashed on us, the wind blew and at times the chairs shook. The 3D was really good when the penguins spit on the camera, and water on all of us. They also have a penguin rescue centre and we loved the little guys. Some can be healed and let out in the wild again some have a new home. We left on a good note.
When it was over we went across the road and got on our plane to Invercargill. I had a fascinating young seatmate who was in engineering and animatedly explained to me the different qualities of iron depending on how it is treated and what was added, and how we can generate enough electricity to live well without fossil fuels.
In Invercargill we had lunch at the Salvation Army and I think it will be highlight of all our lunch stops. NZ is a very secular country, only 20% admit to a religious affiliation of any kind, and most voluntary organizations like Rotary and Lions are having a tough time recruiting new members. But the Salvation Army is doing well. People see it as relevant, doing good work and it has a ‘young soldiers’ program. They treated us well and the home made feast was great.
Gemstone Beach the sound of the rocks was lovely, Jim said it was no good for surfing
I think this was the oldest suspension bridge in the area.
The countryside was beautiful, this doesn't do it justice
From there it was a long drive to Te Anue Lots and lots and lots of sheep and about 1/3 as many cows. It was dark and raining most of the way. Te Anue is on one of three of the biggest lakes in the world. The town is small with small hotels strung out along the lakeshore. It is mostly a summer resort with lots of water and mountain sports. We went for a lovely walk and talk along the lake after dinner.
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