New Zealand Day 2

What a delightful day!

The skies were clear and the day was wonderful. I woke early - jet
lag, I guess - and read a bit. After breakfast, I went to get my cold
weather clothing (and make sure it fits!). I met some of the
scientists who are going down for research and the former science
teacher in me in fascinated. One described the ice cores his team has
been digging up and dating for over a decade. He had some pretty
strong feelings about global warming: according to his research, the
earth is now warmer than it has been in 8,500 years. Sure there are
cycles, but nothing to account for what we are doing to our planet
now. I also heard that I shouldn't expect to see many - if any -
penguins; the sea near McMurdo is full of ice from the melting
glaciers and therefore no longer a safe swimming area for these birds
who require clear water to avoid predators.

After my clothing issue, I met Fr Dan Doyle, a Kiwi priest with 20+
years of Antarctic experience, for a day of his hospitality.

We drove to an overlook of Christchurch then picked up his visiting
Aunt who just returned from a trip to the west coast of the South
Island to view a white heron rookery. A quick lunch then headed out to
his parish for a wedding rehearsal in a delightful country church,
then to Hanmer Springs, a natural hotsprings in the foothills of
gorgeous mountains. I'll post pictures as soon as I can, but suffice
to say this is possibly the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen.
We stopped for ice cream on our way up - a kiwi favorite called "Hokie
Pokie" - and then more of a drive along the Waiua River. We roasted a
bit in the baths and then ate a delightful dinner before returning.

More breathtaking views and the last sunset I'll see for six weeks.

Fr Dan had some great advice and wisdom to share: stay hydrated and
have an adventurous spirit.

As you sit and watch the Rose Bowl, consider this that I heard the
other day (though I'm not sure how true it is): more people can fit in
that stadium than have ever been on the continent of Antarctica.

It's late and I have an early flight to catch, so I'm doing a bit of
packing and then to sleep. Tomorrow: a C17 to the Ice!

Happy New Year from the first place on the globe to welcome 2010.

Peace,
Jake

New Zealand, Day 1
Wed., Dec 30

Spent a few hours in the morning getting my bearings and making plans
for the week. I still have a bag missing so nothing to do there but
wait. I found a way to call home, but couldn't get a line, so I'll try
tomorrow. I was free from mid-morning on so I borrowed a bike from the
hotel and rode into town.

First stop was the cathedral. The history was overwhelming and my mind
kept trying to make associations with things I knew. In some ways, I
remembered the chapel in Nantucket (?) from Moby Dick because of all
the memorials to sailors. And then since I've read most of the Aubrey-
Maturin books (the film Master and Commander was based on these) I
imagined I was walking where Capt Jack Aubrey might have been in full
dress uniform when in port.

From there lunch at a pub and then exploring the streets of
Christchurch. I found a memorial to the explored Scott who died after
reaching the Pole. The Botanic Gardens were gorgeous - sorry Ronda,
but Lewis Ginter has nothing on Christhurch. I rang a World Peace Bell
and explored the Cantebury Museum which houses an amazing Antarctic
collection as well as an Egytptian mummy, Chinese art, and much more
(being part of an Empire meant artifacts moving around among the
colonies, I guess).

I had dinner at a wine bar in the Arts District and then a cold bike
back to the hotel. A few more 109th-ers arrived yesterday but who I
saw was pretty tired.

Peace,
Jake

New Zealand, Day 0

I'm not going to call this Day 1 yet because I'm so thrown off with
the time change that I'm still not really sure I'm here.

Long travel, as expected, put me in New Zealand on a beautiful summer
afternoon. After checking in at the hotel I'll stay in until I leave
for Antarctica on Friday (Jan 1) I walked around a bit and got a
little exercise. I'm trying to stay awake at least until after supper
(which I'll have when I send this email) when I'll go to bed. (Maybe
when I wake up, my second bag will be delivered.) With any luck, I'll
be alert for most of tomorrow.

I expect to get my cold weather clothing issue tomorrow and then have
the rest of the day to explore.

Jake

Greetings from Sydney!

I hope y'all enjoy Monday, Dec 28th, because I never lived it. I slept for most of the flight from LAX to Sydney (earplugs, a neck pillow and eye covers are worth every penny) but I'm sure I didn't sleep for that long.

It's about 8:15 in the morning on Dec 29th here and I have a half hour or so before my flight to Christchurch boards.

Peace,
Jake

LAX

What to do with a four hour layover in LA? I called Paul to say and he
drove over and took me out for a drink! I'm humbled to have a friend
like you, Paul. Thanks.
>

Meet BP

Meet B.P. (Baby Penguin). He will be joining me for this journey and
will stop by to say hi now and then. He spent last night snuggling
with Charis and Bekah so I hope he'll offer me some comfort over the
coming weeks as I miss them.

I love you gals!

I had some great help getting my bags to the airport this morning!

Waiting for the first flight to leave...

An Invitation...

Greetings!

Tomorrow I will board a plane in Virginia that will be the first of at least six flights that will deposit me, disoriented yet wide-eyed in Christchurch, New Zealand. After a few days to rest and gear up, I'm scheduled for the New Year's Day flight from Christchurch to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. I'll have a bunk in this outpost – the Gateway to Antarctica – for about six weeks, where I will be chaplain to researchers and all the support staff at this base. I expect to travel a bit around this beautiful continent, including a night (and the inevitable photo ops) at the new South Pole Station. I expect to begin my travels back to the States by late February.

In the event that you'd like to mail something to Antarctica, I'd gladly receive your mail! The address:

Chaplain Jake Marvel

Bldg 165 Rom 114

PSC 469 Box 700

APO AE 96599-1035

I'm off to spend more time today with Charis, Bekah and Misha!

Peace,
Jake