Every year, the Christchurch Mayor hosts a civic cocktail party to welcome the international Antarctic Programs (mainly the US and smaller Italian programmes) to Christchurch - being a major gateway to the Ice.
It is a 'quality gig' with some of the best speakers, talking about something dear to their hearts, which means a great deal to their respective countries, and the world, across many themes.
The NZers also heading down to Scott Base are there too - and I am not sure why, but it seems that those who work with Antarctica seem to be jolly nice people. Maybe it is something to do with the values of the place - where most national programs seek to simply understand and ensure peace on the continent. Here are some photos - not of the people - but of what we ate (of course!) to celebrate summer coming to Antarctica, and temporary populations growing...
White Tie Catering - outstanding with hearty soup stations, set with enamel cups of perfect seafood chowder following the canapes. As well as....
And this nice 'favour' to go home with. So sweet - and so American, which is so appropriate given that the US Deep Freeze Programme is the largest Antarctic programme in the world, and we have had the pleasure of hosting them on their way to the Ice now for 53 years.
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