Mount Dobson to Spencer Beach

I've just realised that I didnt take many pictures of the journey, partly because Argiris was whingeing that he felt that his holiday was ending. Apart from the drive we hadnt really planned anything else. It's funny that your approach to driving changes when you drive a distance every day. Oh this is only 4 hours!!! The truth is that this is the furthest from the M6 that you can imagine and driving is pure pleasure. The scenery is breathtaking. It frequently changes and so is not monotonous at all.

However we did make a stop at the Antarctic International Centre just next to Christchurch airport. What a find. We spent a great afternoon, first entry fee as concessionary fee payers😂😂. The experience was fantastic. Started with a 10mins trip was a Haagland field trip on this beauty

It took us along a simulated course, throwing us around. Great fun.

Then we went innto the snow dome that replucated Antarctic temperatures and blizzard. With the wind chill we went down to almost - 20. We had experience of that from Mineapolis.

Blue penguins were my favourite. Rare and only found in New Zealand. They are tiny and very cute.

Then we met the huskies

And had a Biggles experience in the plane flying to the Antarctic

I haven't done justice here to the rest of the exhibition, but was splendid.

We arrived Spencer Beach, hoping for a swim in the Pacific oceans but sadly the clouds and rain put paid to that.

Off to Kaikōura tomorrow.