Antarctica is fifty percent bigger than the U.S., twice the size of Australia, and 23 trillion times the size of a postage stamp.  It has no income tax and no extradition treaties.  A cold and windy continent, it contains 70% of the world's ice, the remaining 30% being found in chilled beverages.  Daily flight service is available from Christchurch in summer months.  Only penguins and scientists live there.

But we are not going to Antarctica.  The closest we will get is to visit the Antarctic Center in the lovely town of Christchurch.  We view a film, see the other-worldly beauty of the frozen continent.  See blue penguins.  Maybe will visit it some time.  In Christchurch we enjoy an afternoon wandering around town.  Beautiful parks, botanical garden, rivers.  Wide, lively European-style plaza. Friendly people.  Expensive though.  Not a great shopping destination.

We continue to enjoy cruise life.  Wonder if the world would be a happier place if more people cruised.  Marie Antoinette allegedly had similar musings.  The year was 1793 and France was in the midst of their revolution.  Croissants and jam were in short supply and the people were angry.  Marie, Queen of France and married to Louis XVI, saw their frustration.  She was a smart lady and wanted to help, but she had no street-cred.  She offered them cake.  It was not enough.  Had she offered cake AND ice cream, things might have turned out differently.

In remembrance of this unfortunate queen, we always eat ice cream with our cake.  Perhaps it is no coincidence that the best ice cream on Earth is made in a small shop in Ilse St. Louis, situated on the Seine River in Paris.  Delicious.  Go there by all means, but don't lose your head over it.