After a VERY long night of flying, I have arrived in NZ. All things considered, the flight(s) went quite smoothly; we did have a few "bumps" in the night that were a bit jarring!
The people I met on the plane were wonderful. Many were tourists heading for amazing places, and many were scientists heading to "The Ice" (Antarctica). I chatted with the adelie penguin researchers, ice core drillers, and glacial ice stream researchers. I will share much of what I learned from them in subsequent journals.
We landed in Aukland, NZ at sunrise. The rose colored sky illuminated the surrounding mountains with a gentle glow. As we descended, the cool misty air rising from the valleys gradually revealed sheep grazing in the lush green fields below. Springtime in New Zealand is splendid!
About to "turn left"!
The "on screen viewer" showing our "little" plane over nothing but water for as far as one can see!
Crossing the equator (horizontal line) the International Date Line is the vertical line to the left.
We are about to "spring ahead" a day (and lose November 4th forever!) by crossing the International Date Line!
"Big Bertha" in Aukland! |
Antarctica 2006 
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