A Beautiful Buzz

Just when I thought that living here couldn't get better, something comes along that makes my grin even wider! Last Sunday I went on a 90 minute helicopter trip around the top half of Rakiura - wow, what a blast.

Google map of our route

We started from the Fern Gully heliport and flew west to Mason Bay, then up the west coast to land on West Ruggedy Beach (see red arrow at top left). The 45 minute stopover went amazingly fast, then it was back in the air to fly a bit further north over East Ruggedy Beach then inland to fly over Hananui/Mount Anglem, the highest point of Rakiura. From there we went out to the east coast by Christmas Village and made our way back down to Halfmoon Bay.

Take a look at these pics...

Lift off

Flying in to Mason Bay - Ernest Islands on far left

Looking north from Mason Bay

Whenua Hou/Codfish Island on left

Part of the Ruggedies

Coming in to West Ruggedy Beach

West Ruggedy Beach

Back in the air coming up to East Ruggedy Beach

One of the tarns on Hananui/Mt Anglem

Hananui - the highest point on Rakiura

Coming down the east coast

Glorious bays coming in to Halfmoon Bay at top

Look at that water!

Halfmoon Bay below, Paterson Inlet at top

I am so lucky to live on such a fabulous island - can't wait to do the bottom half!

Sunset on Paradise!