It's all about the flying...: June 2005

Random snap near Raglan.. skiing tomorrow!

Raglan a/d

Following the coast to Raglan

River Piako nr Thames

Low fog over the Piako river and Thames a/d on the nose.

Firth of Thames on the nose.

27th June - today I managed to get my first meaningful solo Nav done and It was excellent (good compensation for not being able to go skiing on my rostered day off) - departed Hamilton first thing with the frost and ground fog en Route Thames, overhead join for circuits followed by a sector to Limestone downs, a low approach and overshoot and then a diversion plan to Raglan and back to Hamilton. Visibility was amazing and everything looked fantastic with low mists and stunning sunshine. Can't wait to do more. Pic 1 - Hamilton just after take off and a low fog over the Waikato.

Cessna returning with tourists having overflown the volcanic areas

Lake Rotorua early evening

The 'Devil's Bath'

Champagne pool close up - 270m deep - 74 degrees at the surface and much hotter at depth.

T and DJ v2

The river of lava - v3 - looks like mud, but it's solid..

And it all seems to be floating - can't work this place out...

Same again...

What used to be the pink terraces, now a river of lava.

Champagne Pool

Artists pallete..

Last week we went to Rotorua and I think this time we saw the real Rotorua in all it's surrealness - drive just south along the 'Thermal Explorer Highway' and there's areas such as this one (Wai o Tapu) full of hot pools, vents, steaming craters and Geysers - it's awesome to see - the ground is alive!! Spent a morning wandering around Wai o Tapu, then into town for good old pub bangers and mash. The evening we went to the Polynesian Spas - Naturally heated hot pools down by the lake where you can chill out and watch the world go by.