What a difference a day makes

[Michele] Yesterday we were trying to escape the 32˚ C tropical heat and humidity and today we experienced -18˚ C at the Antarctic Center at Christchurch.

Our solution for escaping the heat in Cairns was to go for a swim. Lucky for us, we got to swim with the cutest 2.5 year old in the world and her parents.  Lots of giggles!

Then today, our first day in New Zealand, we donned rubber boots and parkas in order enter the Antarctic Experience room at the Antarctic Center in Christchurch.  The room temperature is set to -8˚C, which is about 17˚ F.  This approximates a balmy day in the Antarctic. Then they dim the lights and turn on the wind machine to simulate a storm event when the wind chill does down to -18˚C (-1˚F).  It felt just like being back in New England!

In the Antarctic Experience room