The International Antarctic Centre

Hi All

Today I finally got to visit the most fabulous International Antarctic Centre, which is part of a huge complex built for the administration of the NZ, US & Italian Antarctic programmes. Its a really interesting place full of historical, geographical zoological and plenty of other 'ical' exhibits!! I especially liked the room which reenacts an ice storm. The room has snow on the floor an Igloo & an ice slide ans is kept at a room temperature at minus 8 - cripes!! Every 30 minutes though they add a wind storm that adds a wind chill factor that takes the room down to minus 18 - boy that was cold especially as we were in shorts and flip flops!! The other fab bit was a added extra we paid for to have in interactive tour with their blue & white flippered  penguin colony. These are what they call 'second chance' penguins and have all been taken as they have injuries which mean that they would not survive in the wild.  The blue Penguin is the smallest penguin the world and averages about 30cm high and they are soooooo cute!!

Well we spent far too long wondering around the place so as a consequence had to rush down to Ashburton our next stop. Dean's captain at Esher cricket had kindly arranged for us to use the family holiday crib in Moeraki for a few days so we had dropped into meet his lovely mother Patricia and her husband Bill. As we have found throughout NZ we got a true Kiwi welcome with tea and Muffins from a truly lovely couple.  Before we knew it a couple of hours had passed and we were packed off with a 'spare' bag of muffins and loads of advice on walks and places to visit.

Before we knew it (well 2.5hrs later) we were in Moeraki a place which is predominantly famous for its ancient spherical boulders, but is full of little walking tracks and areas of interest including having its own colony of seals and Yellow-eyed penguins. The wind was still strong so we just ensconced ourselves in the crib  and lit a fire to warm it through. The crib was built in 1931 by Bill's great grandfather and has been used by the family & friends ever since as a holiday retreat. Over the years a bathroom and other mod cons like electricity, sewage and running water have been added, but it still retains is quaint and tranquil feel.  More of that tomorrow!

Night all

Hugs

Sara