Travel Log: December 22nd, 1997




Picture of the Day
Castle Rock (black peak on
left) and Mt. Erebus (right)

DECEMBER 22nd, 1997


Janice and Randy flew from McMurdo to Christchurch, NZ today. Janice reported a pleasant flight, on which she elaborates below. Pictured below is Castle Rock, where Randy went hiking yesterday, and the volcano Mt. Erebus.

See also Travel Tales below!

Date: 22 Dec 97
Location: McMurdo Station
Weather: no report
Temperature: no report
Wind Chill: no report
Wind Speed: no report
Barometric Pressure: no report

Go on to the
next day...

Dec 22th Travel Tales

Janice VanCleave: I had as pleasant a flight as possible from McMurdo to Christchurch. We were briefed before the flight about standing or sitting on the floor of the plane. For our safety, we were informed that we should stay seated and in our seat belts as much as possible during the 8 hour flight. Even with 9 people, we were tightly squeezed shoulder to shoulder. As soon as the seat belt sign went off, the crew got up to work. I immediately asked if I could sit in the double seat where they had been and my wish was granted. Yea!!!! I was able to stretch out and put my feet on a couple of boxes at the end of the seat and nap. This extra space was wonderful for me and also gave the other passengers more room. After all the flights to and in Antarctica, I knew many of the flight crew and was invited to stand in the back of the plane to view the continent and ice shelf through a large window in the emergency door. It was a spectacular sight. I viewed the changing scene for about 2 hours. The last sign of Antarctica was tiny icebergs that looked like floating packing crate peanuts in the water. The number of these slowly decreased leaving only clear water. It was with sweet and sour emotions that I left this beaufiful icy wonderland. While I was very physically tired and desired to be going north so that I could be home for Christmas, I would have liked to have had the opportunity to see more of the land. The Dry Valleys were described as being a spectacular sight. Even though I did not see the Dry Valleys, I spoke with many that did.