A 9PM phone call last night from the US Antarctic Program informed us that we had a 24 hour delay on our deployment to the ice. I have not verified the reason, but rumors were that a previous storm laid more snow than could be cleared off the ice runway in time for the arrival of our
LC-130. So, with my adventurous co-workers Alissa and Aubrey, we set out to explore more of the Christchurch area, in the rain of course. To Diamond Harbour it was - a highly under-visited and highly rated (by us) place to visit! An easy bus ride to the port town of Lyttleton, and a cheap ferry ride across the bay. If you go, plan to walk the tracks along the coast and eat at the Preserved Cook School & Eatery (weird name, excellent food).
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| Port town of Lyttleton on Banks Peninsula, serving the Christchurch and Canterbury area. Looked like massive forest product exports. |
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| Lyttleton port operations |
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| Now, looking back at Lyttleton from Diamond Harbour. |
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| Spring time flowers! |
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| Walking tracks go out from Diamond Harbour along the coastline, providing excellent vistas and exotic vegetation. |
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| Piling back on to the ferry for return to Lyttleton. |
We are enjoying your blog! Your delay is our gain--more NZ coastal beauty to enjoy. Is that a mudpuppy? Cute <3!! I remember finding one in Lake Mendota and being told that's what it was. Who can forget a name like that?
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a sculpin, which may be another common name for a mudpuppy?? They are capable of surviving out of water as long as they are moist, by gulping air.
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