We started our last day in New Zealand with breakfast at the Copenhagen Bakery and a little souvenir shopping. Then we dumped all our memory cards onto CDs to send home with everyone, yes an essential part of a scrapbookers' vacation! Katie made beautiful photo books for everyone.
We had just enough time to sneak in a visit at the Antarctic Centre before my flight back to Melbourne.
Antarctica may be the only continent I don't visit, so I figured I'd better see what I could.
We entered a storm simulation room which produced insanely high wind speeds and low temperatures.
This igloo reminded me of the one Katie and I built in our backyard in Norway 20 years ago.
Mom and I jumped on the snowmobile.
The whole family huddled together in our Antarctica parkas to brave the freezing wind storm. We were all reminded why we no longer live in North Dakota!
Lisa and I took a turn on the ice slide.
After our many failed attempts to see penguins, we finally saw blue penguins at the Antarctic Centre.
A blue penguin.
We saw the penguins at feeding time.
For once, I felt rushed to see enough of the museum exhibits.
We took a Huggland Ride, which simulates travel on Antarctica.
We all strapped in and held on for the unknown ride to come.
We traversed dirt hills and drove through deep ponds.
The five of us barely fit in the car with all our luggage. Good thing we have a professional packer among us Dad.
The family dropped me off for my flight and waited for their own. What a fun family vacation!
