Christchurch, New Zealand

In order to get to Antarctica with the U.S. Antarctic Program you must go through Christchurch. That is a good thing as far as I am concerned since Christchurch is a beatiful city full of very friendly people. It takes about 18 hours to fly from Houston to Christchurch via Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand. Here are some pictures of this beautiful city including the International Antarctic Center (USAP has a building in this complex), the Avon River, and Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the Christ Church Cathedral and the South Pacific Coast southeast of Christchurch.