Day 18 TWIZEL-LAKE TEKAPO

Didn't do a lot of kays today, but it was a huge day just the same. Woke to a slightly foggy morning and thought the helicopter would be out again, but the closer we got to MT Cook, the clearer it became.

 
  
By the time we got to the heliport, most of it had lifted to reveal a beautiful day.

Our Chariot arrived soon after.

 
A Squirrell 500 twin turbine for those that care

 

 

   
This has got to rate as one of the all time best things we have done. We were lucky enough to score an extended ride as one of the other passengers was a DOC's officer who had been sent to try and find a camera some scientists had left on one of the peaks last winter to photograph the movement of the Tasman glacier. We didn't find the camera, but instead of a 45 minute ride, we were in the air for over an hour and a half. We tried to lodge a complaint about the extra time, but it fell on deaf ears.

 

The views of the glaciers was unbelievable. We could see right down into the crevasses. Some are hundreds of fee deep and the formations from the glacier movement are spectacular.

Small icebergs in Tasman lake
 
 
We flew over Fox glacier and  Franz Joseph township which was still covered in cloud as it was last week.

The pass between Franz Joseph and Fox township

 
We landed on Franz Joseph glacier and had the mandatory snow fight, which didn't amuse the other passengers, when Sam smacked in the back of the head, but we didn't care.

 
  
 

Then after searching for the missing camera made our way back to the heliport. A fantastic morning and I would have gladly paid to go up again if they weren't booked out.

We headed up the the very exclusive Hermitage hotel for a very expensive beer, but got our money back tenfold by sneaking into the Edmund Hillary Museum and spent a great couple of hours checking out the presentations including a couple of brilliant 3d movies.

The toilets here are very flash

 
 
  
We then boarded our snow plane which took us up to a landing field where we made the final ascent to MT Cook.

Actually that last bit was bullshit, the pics are from the 3d movies.

We went for a ride out through the Tasman Valley, but time was running out, so only did a small walk to Blue Lake, which was actually a brown muddy pool.

Came across this rental..Guess who's not getting their bond back.

 

Sam got all arty on the way.

 
 
 
We called into the MT Cook salmon farm and selected tonights dinner, which we had on the shores of Lake Tekapo along with a couple of bottles of Montieths apple cider...One of the best meals of the trip.

 

 

 
 
 
Tomorrow is the last day on the bike, which is a bit sad, but we will hire a car and continue looking around for a few days

Comments

[danandrox]

twin turbine 500.. ??? judging by what you have eaten so far...the little 350 single spool wouldn't have got you of the ground.
the good news is that with about 2 hours woka time..you qualify for a commercial license.
we are having a great time every day watching you both have the best trip.

[RR]

Did you know that there is a photo of a certain person you met at the bottom of the North Island doing a handstand whilst wearing only his briefs on the summit of Mt Cook?

It must be something to do with an attraction to orange. :-)