Christchurch New Zealand...

Well, last night it snowed here for the first time since I've been here (not much) and it got cold again today. Yesterday it got up to a balmy 17 degrees, sunny, and there was very little wind. I actually didn't wear a jacket outside for most of the day. Today it is back to being cold (1 degree with a -15 wind chill). So today, I thought I would write about and share some pictures of somewhere a little warmer - Christchurch, New Zealand.

Everyone who comes into Antarctica via McMurdo Station has to travel through Christchurch. This is where the United States Antarctic Program offices are and from where we leave to get to Antartcia. Luckily, I got to spend a day in Christchurch touring the city. It is an amazingly clean and picturesque town and a great place to visit. The people there are extremely nice and friendly, and everyone is very willing to help a confused tourist.

Below are some pictures of Christchurch.

ChristChurch Cathedral downtown on Cathedral Square

The Chalice art sculpture with the cathedral in the background

The Avon River in downtown

The Avon River again, near the Botanical Gardens

A tree in the Botanical Gardens (the Botanical Gardens is amazing, and is a totally free and public park)

The Pacific Ocean and cliffs just outside of town. The sand is a very dark brown muddy color.

Flowers in the sand dunes near the beach. The cliffs in the background are kind of the suburbs of Christchurch.