28th March 2016 – Helicopter Trip to White Island Volcano (Private Scenic Reserve), with Frontier Helicopters.
I had sprained my Ankle the weekend before. The doctors at Greenlane Ascot A & E had directed me that hiking was off the table this Easter long weekend. While my effective walking range was limited I was still able to walk short distances. Decided at complete whim on Easter Sunday to grab the car keys and head down to Bay of Plenty to take a helicopter ride to White Island. (Have to admit, I was very reluctant to let this Easter Weekend go to waste and am very glad that I actually bit the bullet and did this trip.)
Thanks to both Richard and Clare for a great afternoon. Richard was both the Pilot and the Guide for the Trip with Clare looking after the Administration of the tour that day. Definitely a trip to remember.
Photos along with trip details / experiences (included as captions) below…
Frontier’s R44 Helicopter
Walking out to the Helicopter. Airbus / Eurocopter AS350
Aboard the Helicopter shortly before take off.
Leaving the Mainland, towards the direction of While Island (Whale Island, which we fly over is directly ahead)
Approaching White Island
On approach to White Island
Circling White Island
Circling White Island
Circling White Island
Circling White Island
Touching down on the Island
Looking out at Right hand side passenger Window
Looking towards the main crater, Crater this time was a lot more “gassy”
Shot with crater in background (taken by our Pilot, Richard)
Looking towards the main crater
Walking towards the crater
Sulphur field with several fumaroles
One of the Many mud pools
Mud pool
View of the main crater
View of the main crater
View of the main crater, Photo taken by Richard (Pilot)
Demonstration on how corrosive the gasses are here. Coins, some only a week old have almost completely oxidised
Close up shot of Sulphur
Steam billowing out from a fumarole
Helicopter from another company taking off.
Looking back out to the sea.
Richard, our pilot and tour guide.
Sulphur field
Looking back out to the sea.
Mound of Sulphur Deposits we got to taste
Sulphur field, Photo taken by Richard (Pilot)
Sulphur field.
Sulphur field
Digging a tiny ditch, Steam (Not clear in the photo)
Feeling the steam coming out from the sand ditch, Photo taken by Richard (Pilot)
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Old Anchor belonging to a supply ship
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Abandoned Sulphur mine
Pohutukawa seedling attempting to grow.
Aboard the Helicopter, (flying out), View from the front passenger seat.
Flying over Whale Island on the way back
Zoomed in view of the western end of Whale Island
