You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Ambassador Bob and Bob Junior
Kia ora,
I'm Bob from North Street School and I love going on LEARNZ adventures. I was lucky enough to go to Iceland on a field trip in term 3 and Bob Junior was so jealous that I have to take him to Antarctica with me. It will also mean I have to be extra responsible and not get in to trouble like I sometimes do! It is going to be a super cool adventure!
See you soon,
Bob... and Bob Junior.
Tuesday 13th November
Kia ora, Bob Junior and I are now in Antarctica! We had a smooth flight south from Christchurch and slept most of the five-hour journey. The other ambassadors woke us up, so we could meet the pilots and get a view from the cockpit. We looked out across miles and miles of icy mountains as we flew over Victoria Land. Antarctica really is a big place. I better make sure that Bob Jnr and I don’t get lost!
It was a relief to leave the aircraft and step out on to the ice. It was strange hearing the snow squeak beneath our boots. We were rushed from the plane to a bus, so that another plane could land. Then we travelled to Scott Base which will be our home for the next week. Tomorrow we begin our survival training and I might steal my shorts back off Bob Jnr because it’s a bit chilly down here in Antarctica.
Talk soon,
Bob ... and Bob Junior.
Wednesday 14th November
Kia ora,
Bob Junior and I are exhausted after our busy day of field training and learning how to drive a Pisten Bully. We also learnt about how cold the wind can make you feel if you aren’t wearing windproof gear. I was going to steal my shorts back off Bob Junior but he was shivering in the cold, so I toughed it out. I now know why there aren’t any other Gorillas living in Antarctica – it is freezing! Luckily, we have a warm base to stay in and heated vehicles to travel in. Tomorrow we will put our field training to the test and head out onto the sea ice to drive to Cape Evans.
See you then,
Bob…and Bob Junior.
Thursday 15th November
Kia ora koutou,
Bob Junior and I are now famous. We are the first gorillas to reach Cape Evans although we needed the help of a Pisten Bully vehicle to travel across the sea ice. It was a bumpy journey but it was well worth it. We saw Weddell seals and huge glaciers flowing off the mountains. We met some members of the K043 science team and were given a guided tour of their camp. They will spend three weeks here studying the algae that grows under the sea ice. Tomorrow we will get to camp out with them, I hope Bob Junior doesn’t snore!
Catch you tomorrow,
Bob… and Bob Junior.
Friday 16th November
Kia ora,
Bob Junior and I had such a fun time out at Cape Evans today. We helped shovel snow and pitch tents. Because everyone was so busy setting up science experiments, we even helped cook dinner. Admittedly it was a dehydrated meal in a bag that you just add water to, but it tasted surprisingly good. The cold can make you very hungry! We also caught a glimpse of what lies below the sea ice. It was cool to see the layer of brown algae that grows on the sea ice and the hundreds of sea stars sitting on the sea floor.
After such a busy day Bob Junior and I are off to try and sleep even though at 11pm the sun is still shining brightly.
See you in the morning.
Bob… and Bob Junior.
Monday 19th November
Kia ora,
Bob Junior and I have so much news. We are hardy Antarctic adventurers now after camping out on Friday night. We survived the cold and lots of walks on Ross Island over the weekend. Today we headed back to Cape Evans to help the scientists drill a new hole through the sea ice. While we were working six emperor penguins turned up. It was so cool seeing them waddle through camp. They were so tall and curious. I was jealous of the way they can flop onto their bellies and slide along the ice. Bob Junior tried it, but he just looked silly and went nowhere. Well it’s time for bed so I’ll say goodnight and see you tomorrow.
Bob... and Bob Junior.
Tuesday 20th November
Kia ora koutou,
Our last day in Antarctica was spent out at Cape Evans. Bob Junior and I helped drill ice cores. It was hard work and Bob Junior didn’t really do his share of work! I could see why the scientists wanted to test a new way of monitoring sea ice algae. They will be using high-tech cameras and scanners under the sea ice. We also explored the pressure ridges outside Scott Base. These cool sea ice formations form where the sea ice meets the Ross Ice Shelf.
We have had such an amazing Antarctic adventure and I wish we could stay, but I guess we would miss you too much if we did.
See you soon,
Bob… and Bob Junior.
Bob Junior and Bob try to figure out how many pairs of gloves you need in Antarctica. Image: LEARNZ.
During their flight to Antarctica the Bob boys get to visit the cockpit and meet the pilots. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior try out their tent after learning how to pitch emergency shelter in Antarctica. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior spend time at Cape Evans with the K043 science team. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior check out the hole that has been drilled in the sea ice... time for a swim? Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior enjoy the views out over Scott Base from the top of Observation Hill. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior meet emperor penguins at Cape Evans. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob Junior and Bob beside one of the ice cores they helped to drill. Image: LEARNZ.
Bob and Bob Junior climb on the pressure ridges outside Scott Base. Image: LEARNZ.