DAY 7 Monday 6 April Queenstown to Franz Josef

We had a civilized start time of 9 AM to head through the Franz Josef Pass.

Morning tea was in Cromwell.

In the afternoon we took a helicopter flight over the Franz Josef glacier, with a landing included. We flew very close to some vertical rock walls, before alighting on the glacier.  The snow was crunchy underfoot.  We spent our time marvelling at the high peaks all around, brilliant sunshine reflecting off the snow and the clear blue skies. Chatting to our pilot, we found out that he was from the Netherlands. It's the only glacier landing in the world that when you finish your flight, you then walk through a rainforest to return home.

The flight was very spectacular but poor Elizabeth had terrible ear ache on the return journey, and it took some time to subside. Probably from the rapid ascent/descent.

Day 6 Sunday 5 April Warbirds over Wanaka Air Show

 I have included a photo of the crowd but we had lots of videos which will post much later.

DAY 5 Saturday 4 April Warbirds over Wanaka Air Show

 Today was predicted to be wet and cold with a good wind chill factor.

There was, however, lots of action in the sky.

There was a Blackhawk helicopter flying sideways.  The helicopter was flown by Mark Law, one of the first pilots who flew to White Island after the volcanic explosion.  He was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Star for his rescues.

  

There was a display of vintage cars and tractors.

There were some strange aircraft types. Republic RC-3 Seebee.

It was cold but except for a few spits at 3.00 pm, it was a good day.

Having problems uploading the videos =at the moment.

DAY 4 Friday 3 April Warbirds over Wanaka Air Show

Our Gold Passes gave us a grandstand viewing. This was a practice day but it was still exciting. The mountain backdrop made for an impressive setting.

Four US jet training fighters were in town. Because of the war in Iran, the visit by the USAF 

 F-22 Raptor was cancelled, as was the NZ Air Force's contribution.

Below are some Yak-52s.

DAY 3 Thursday 2 April Dunedin to Queenstown

 

Dunedin has the steepest street in the world but the photo does not do it justice.

Christchurch Railway Station is very ornate.  A heritage train was getting ready to depart.

At Lanarch Castle we had a tour, followed by a high tea in the ballroom.

The gardens were lovely too.

There was an opportunity to visit the district museum at Arrowtown, which was a gold mining town.

Moa Skeleton or bits of it anyway.

Queenstown in the twilight. We walked the 20 minutes into town and had a kebab.

DAY 2 Wednesday 1 April Christchurch to Dunedin

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RNZAF Museum Wigram

An ejector seat.

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As part of the behind-the-scenes tour, we saw what had to be restored.  Good luck with that one!  Often they have to hand machine all new items.

Our tour guide's father, Johnny Checketts, flew spitfires in World War Two. His dad is featured in this display.  In 1943, Johnny was shot down in France.  He bailed out of his burning aircraft.  French locals hid him and looked after him.  The French Resistance helped him escape to England on a fishing boat.

We stopped in the afternoon at Oamaru, a very attractive seaside town.  It had been a very rich town in the past, with many beautiful stone buildings.  Most have since been repurposed.

Original town hall.

War memorial and church.

What had been the ANZ Bank...very impressive and not just for the blue skies.

The Steampunk Museum is a Victorian industrial fantasy world. We did not have time to go inside. 

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DAY 1 Tuesday 31 March Brisbane to Christchurch.

A fairly seamless day although our flight was late in departure with a blocked toilet but they made up the time. A problem free transit to the hotel with our guide for the evening, Lynn who taught 4-year-olds during the day. We met our tour buddies, all Australians and had a nice three course meal.